Edge AI: how IoT hardware and connectivity companies can drive ecosystem adoption and scale

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Edge AI has gained major momentum during 2024–2025 as Qualcomm, Nordic Semiconductor, Synaptics and many others have launched significant innovations in edge silicon and hardware. This report focuses on the industrial IoT part of the market.
Advancements in AI for constrained devices in IoT are leading to shifts in the business model of traditional IoT chip companies, towards custom solutions and direct engagement with the wider ecosystem.
At the same time, the network and connectivity part of the solution has to align, generating opportunities – albeit incremental for the time being – for traditional IoT service providers. To reap the benefits of the edge AI opportunity, they too will have to adapt aspects of their strategies accordingly.
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