Qualcomm Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Qualcomm Technologies announced the winners of the 2024 Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship (QIF) Europe, rewarding PhD students excelling in AI and cybersecurity. Each winner will receive $40,000 and mentorship from Qualcomm's research team. This year's winners include students from EPFL, University of Cambridge, and ETH Zurich. Notable projects involve advancements in virtual reality, confidential computing, 3D RNA design, controlled text generation, and deep learning curvature matrices. The program saw nearly 50% more submissions, highlighting the growing significance of machine learning and cybersecurity.

Qualcomm's 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report highlights significant strides in environmental management within its supply chain. All primary semiconductor manufacturing suppliers now adhere to ISO 14001-certified environmental management systems. The company uses the WRI Aqueduct™ tool to assess water risks and collaborates with suppliers to track water use and GHG emissions. Qualcomm's initiatives have led suppliers in Taiwan to increase renewable energy funding by up to 300%. The company also conducted its second climate scenario analysis (CSA) to model climate risks across its value chain.

Qualcomm's 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report emphasizes its sustainable supply chain management program. The report details the company's reliance on fabless production, working closely with primary semiconductor foundries and assembly suppliers. It underscores the adherence to the RBA Code of Conduct, which includes human rights, responsible mineral sourcing, and resource reduction. Qualcomm's risk-based approach requires annual RBA Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) from suppliers, showing all primary semiconductor suppliers as low-risk. Over the past two years, RBA VAP audits discovered 62 non-compliance issues. Qualcomm aims for 100% biennial audits of suppliers by 2025, with 88% already meeting this goal in 2023.

Qualcomm's 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report highlights their commitment to fostering innovation, supporting business-friendly policies, and advancing technology globally. They emphasize key public policy topics such as 5G, invention and IP, spectrum, privacy, immigration, and taxation. The report outlines their principles in public policy, which include participation, responsible governance, and transparency. Qualcomm's initiatives include the launch of The Inventor's Patent Academy to support diverse inventors. The company also addresses challenges in talent acquisition due to stringent immigration laws and emphasizes the need for policies that support a comprehensive 5G rollout to create significant economic impact. Additionally, Qualcomm focuses on environmental sustainability, aiming for collective action and corporate leadership.

Qualcomm's 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report emphasizes ethical governance, highlighting their commitment to integrity and compliance with global anti-corruption laws. The report outlines various initiatives, such as mandatory ethics training for all employees, a micro-learning library for on-demand education, and an Ethics Liaison program to promote a positive ethical culture globally. Qualcomm also conducted a 2023 pulse survey showing that 81% of employees feel comfortable raising ethical concerns, a 5% increase from the previous year. The company celebrated 'We Love Compliance' Week for the fifth year, enhancing engagement and participation in compliance-related activities. Overall, Qualcomm's report reflects a strong focus on ethical conduct, compliance, and continuous improvement in their corporate practices.

FIRST, a robotics community, announced its 2024-2025 season, FIRST DIVE, with Qualcomm as the presenting sponsor. The ocean-themed season encourages students to explore aquatic life through robotics. The season begins with the FIRST LEGO League challenge on August 6, followed by the FIRST Tech Challenge in September and the FIRST Robotics Competition in January, culminating in April 2025 in Houston. Qualcomm aims to inspire the next generation of innovators by supporting STEM education through this initiative.

Qualcomm Wireless Reach and Instituto Crescer have announced the opening of mobile virtual reality (VR) laboratories and the expansion of the Student Always Connected (ASCON) Program in Goiânia, Brazil. Phase 2 aims to bridge the digital divide in four schools by providing mobile VR devices and laptops with mobile connectivity. This initiative targets elementary-level education, enhancing digital skills and modernizing classrooms. Over 200 students and teachers benefited from phase 1, receiving Always-Connected PCs (ACPCs) equipped with Snapdragon 7C processors. The program includes training for teachers on advanced topics like cybersecurity and AI, aiming to foster digital inclusion and transformative educational experiences.

TaroWorks, in collaboration with Qualcomm through its Qualcomm Wireless Reach initiative, has announced a $20,000 humanitarian technology grant for non-profit organizations. This grant aims to improve field operations by integrating Last-Mile mobile technology. Eligible NGOs can utilize the grant to implement TaroWorks Enterprise and Salesforce solutions, enhancing supply chain management and impact measurement in remote areas. Applications open on May 6, 2024, and close on June 7, 2024, with the winner announced by July 1, 2024.

Qualcomm explores the role of edge devices in reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainability in AI systems. Generative AI can add trillions to the global economy annually, but its energy cost and environmental impact are significant. Reports project alarming energy use by AI, and its environmental impact. By running AI models on edge devices like smartphones and laptops, energy efficiency can be improved. Distributing AI workloads to the edge can enhance performance efficiency and minimize energy consumption. Qualcomm aims to make AI systems more environmentally friendly.