Qualcomm Taps Motorola Veteran to Lead New Mobile and Personal AI Division

Qualcomm has appointed Sergio Buniac to lead its newly rebranded Mobile, Compute, and Personal AI group, effective September 2. The move signals a strategic effort to revitalize the company's core business through artificial intelligence as it diversifies its revenue streams.

Buniac, a veteran of Motorola where he previously served as president of Motorola Devices, now reports directly to CEO Cristiano Amon. In his new role as Executive Vice President and Group General Manager, Buniac oversees a consolidated portfolio that spans smartphones, PCs, wearables, and extended reality. This leadership transition follows the departure of former mobile chief Alex Katouzian, who left Qualcomm in May 2026 to join Intel as EVP and GM of Client Computing and Physical AI.

Diversifying Beyond the Handset

The reorganization comes as Qualcomm navigates a critical transition to reduce its heavy reliance on Apple, which analysts estimate accounts for roughly one-fifth of the company's total revenue. While some market observers have viewed the handset business as a declining commodity, Qualcomm is pivoting toward "Personal AI" and expanding its footprint in data center custom silicon and automotive technology.

Financial results indicate this diversification is already yielding significant returns. In the most recent quarter (Q3 FY2026), Qualcomm's automotive revenue hit a record $1.588 billion, representing a 61% increase year-over-year. This momentum has led the company to raise its fiscal 2026 automotive exit run rate to approximately $7 billion annualized. Furthermore, non-handset QCT revenue grew 28% year-over-year during the same period.

The Bet on Agentic AI

The decision to install a seasoned handset operator like Buniac suggests that Qualcomm believes the smartphone market is poised for a new growth phase. The company is betting on an "agentic smartphone cycle," where AI-driven capabilities trigger a wave of hardware upgrades.

"We’re seeing early signs of an agentic smartphone cycle that will grow over time," CEO Cristiano Amon stated. By consolidating mobile and compute under a single AI-focused banner, Qualcomm aims to integrate its silicon more deeply into the AI ecosystem, potentially shifting the company's valuation from a cyclical chipmaker to a foundational AI infrastructure provider.

Future Outlook

Investors will be watching whether Buniac can successfully translate the promise of Personal AI into tangible handset sales growth. While the automotive sector provides a powerful new pillar of stability, the long-term success of the strategy depends on whether consumers view AI agents as a sufficient reason to replace their current devices. Additionally, the company continues to monitor the impact of its shifting revenue mix as it seeks to balance its legacy mobile dominance with its emerging enterprise and automotive ambitions.