Summary of Key Highlights
At the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), "agents" became a focal point, earning the title of "the year of agents." Agent terminals—especially smartphones—quickly moved from concept to reality, with manufacturers such as Honor, Jieyue Xingchen, and Nubia releasing agent-enabled phones. Technology companies like Qualcomm provided insights into how agents have evolved from being capable of answering questions to performing tasks, covering aspects ranging from underlying technologies (interaction logic, computing architecture) to cross-domain applications (embodied intelligent robots) and infrastructure (the integration of 6G and AI). They also predicted that agents will permeate various aspects of our lives, including smartphones, cars, and robots, creating a smart world where the physical and digital worlds blend seamlessly.
1. Agent phones are making a big splash—available this year?
The most evident signal from WAIC is that agent phones are no longer just conceptual PPTs but are set to hit store shelves. Honor unveiled the Robot Phone and its Agentic OS system, Jieyue Xingchen released the STEPX Neo, and Nubia officially announced the NaviX Ultra—three products that appeared much sooner than expected. Dr. Xu Hao from Qualcomm stated that several agent phones will be launched in China this year. Unlike previous AI systems that could only answer questions or provide assistance, these new models can actually help you complete tasks, such as booking hotels and planning trips without the need to navigate through apps step by step.
2. Agent phones are more than just responsive; they can take initiative
Traditional phones require users to initiate actions (e.g., opening an app to order food or book a flight). Agent phones, on the other hand, offer proactive services. For example, if you say, "I want some pearl milk tea nearby," the phone will understand your preferences (e.g., half-sugar with little ice), find the nearest store, place the order, and inform you of the delivery time.
This shift is driven by two key technologies:
1. Your personal preference database: The phone quietly collects your habits (e.g., preferring budget-friendly hotels or window seats) to create a "personal knowledge graph," becoming more understanding with use.
2. Memory management like humans: The phone selectively deletes unnecessary information and efficiently stores relevant data within its limited memory and processing power to assist you in making decisions.
3. Balancing privacy and speed: Sensitive data is processed locally, while complex tasks (e.g., planning cross-city trips) are handled in the cloud, ensuring both security and smooth performance.
3. Robots also have a "brain, cerebellum, and senses" for efficient multitasking
Agents are not limited to phones; they can also appear in the physical world, such as in embodied intelligent robots used for factory sorting or delivery services. Qualcomm has designed a three-tiered "neural circuit" system for robots, similar to how the human brain functions:
- Senses: Sensors continuously monitor the environment and determine if an object can be grasped, with low power consumption and constant connectivity.
- Cerebellum: Handles motion control (e.g., maintaining balance and adjusting posture).
- Brain: Processes complex tasks (e.g., visual recognition and route planning).
Different robots have different requirements. For instance, a dog-like robot needs stable movement, a soccer robot must quickly identify teammates and the ball, while humanoid robots need to understand complex environments. Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon IQ10 solution offers 700 TOPS of AI processing power, sufficient for humanoid robots to perform tasks independently in homes or shopping malls.
4. 6G is not just "faster 5G"; it’s the agent’s "neural network"
As all devices become agents, communication networks must evolve beyond being mere data transfer channels. Dr. Xu Hao explained that future 6G will integrate deeply with AI, connecting all agents like the human nervous system:
- Faster and lower latency: Agents often require collaboration between devices and the cloud, so 6G needs to handle larger data volumes more efficiently.
- AI-driven network optimization: AI will manage resources (e.g., prioritizing bandwidth for urgent tasks) to make systems smarter.
- Dynamic distribution of processing power: 6G allows for flexible allocation of computing resources between phones, nearby base stations, and the cloud, ensuring both privacy and efficiency.
5. The future: Agents will permeate every aspect of our lives
Dr. Xu Hao predicts that the application of agents will explode in the coming years:
- Smart cars: Will evolve from mere vehicles to "mobile intelligent living spaces" that can plan routes and book restaurants.
- Embodied robots: Will move from factories to homes, helping with tasks like cleaning and caring for the elderly.
- More devices: XR glasses and smart homes will become agents, creating a seamless connection between the physical and digital worlds. For example, wearing XR glasses could allow agents to identify objects and provide information about their prices and usage.
In essence, future agents will act as your "super assistants," omnipresent and capable of handling various tasks in your daily life.
This news highlights that AI is no longer just a showcase of technological advancements but is truly becoming an integral part of our lives, transforming how we use phones, robots, and communication networks.