From the early days of the web to the rise of synthetic intelligence, Cisco has helped construct the digital spine of the trendy world. We’ve expanded entry, secured world networks, and supported the infrastructure that powers all the things from on-line studying to world commerce. For instance, Cisco’s Networking Academy has skilled over 2.6 million learners within the US for the reason that program’s inception, empowering them with vital digital literacy and expertise expertise.
We’ve completed that for thousands and thousands worldwide. In France, as an example, we’re working with native companions to make use of AI and sensor expertise that helps dairy farmers forestall warmth stress in cows, boosting manufacturing for over 50 farms and growing revenues by as much as 20%. In the meantime, within the Metropolis of El Paso, we companion with town to ship Webex and Cisco networking options to make sure susceptible and at-risk residents can seamlessly connect with important providers.
Now, as AI redefines what’s doable—from breakthroughs in healthcare to smarter cities—we’re as soon as once more on the middle of this transformation. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor this week’s ITU AI for Good Summit, the UN’s main platform for utilizing AI to sort out world challenges, and to launch a brand new white paper: Connecting the Future: How Connectivity and AI Unlock New Potential, co-developed with the ITU, Atlantic Council, and Entry Partnership.
The Two-Approach Relationship Between AI and Connectivity
What’s the relationship between AI and connectivity? At the beginning, AI can’t succeed with out robust digital infrastructure. AI additionally has the ability to dramatically enhance that infrastructure in return.
AI fashions—particularly generative instruments—require extra bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and extremely resilient works. Assembly these calls for requires an funding in each layer of connectivity throughout the primary, center, and final miles and a brand new period of public-private collaboration.
But AI isn’t only a person of networks; it’s additionally reworking them. AI is already serving to networks self-optimize, predict outages, cut back power consumption, and reply to threats in actual time—making infrastructure quicker, safer, and extra environment friendly. That is particularly vital in areas the place networks should scale rapidly.
At Cisco, we’re constructing the applied sciences that make this doable. Take for instance ThousandEyes which leverages AI to allow quicker and extra dependable connections, or our Cisco Nexus switches and AI-native infrastructure options which automate community efficiency and optimize knowledge middle efficiency.
Addressing the Readiness Hole
In line with Cisco’s AI Readiness Index, 98% of worldwide enterprise leaders say AI adoption is extra pressing than ever, but solely 13% really feel totally ready. Greater than half of those companies have expressed that their infrastructure lacks the scalability to assist AI, and 78% doubt they’ve the computing sources wanted to maintain up.
This isn’t stunning—with 3.7 billion individuals nonetheless missing dependable web entry, the digital divide threatens to turn into an AI divide.
As a part of our broader Partner2Connect pledge to handle this hole, Cisco launched a $1 billion world AI funding fund to speed up the event of safe, reliable applied sciences and infrastructure and we’re already seeing its impression.
- In Saudi Arabia, we’ve partnered with HUMAIN AI to assist nationwide infrastructure, launch a Cisco AI Institute at KAUST, operationalize safe knowledge facilities, and upskill 500,000 learners in AI, cybersecurity, and programming.
- In France, we’re growing a International AI Hub centered on energy-efficient infrastructure, startup innovation, and workforce improvement. We’ve additionally expanded our collaboration with Mistral AI and dedicated to establishing a middle of excellence for knowledge middle innovation and prepare 230,000 individuals in AI and digital expertise over the following three years.
Infrastructure Wants Folks
Infrastructure alone isn’t sufficient. AI’s full potential is determined by individuals having the abilities to construct, deploy, and use it responsibly. But thousands and thousands nonetheless lack the digital and AI expertise wanted to take part within the financial system of tomorrow.
By way of the Cisco Networking Academy, which has skilled greater than 20 million learners globally, and initiatives like Partner2Connect and the ITU Digital Transformation Facilities, we’re serving to to shut that hole—equipping each technical and non-technical expertise with the abilities to construct, handle, and apply AI responsibly and efficiently.
Governments, firms, and world establishments should now work collectively to combine AI literacy into nationwide curricula, develop entry to digital public infrastructure, and make upskilling a central pillar of financial improvement.
A Shared Duty
AI and connectivity should not separate agendas—they’re a part of the identical transformation. One can’t advance with out the opposite. And neither will succeed with out daring coverage, sensible funding, and public-private partnerships.
At Cisco, we’re prepared to steer. We’re constructing safe, AI-ready networks. We’re supporting innovators and governments, and we’re centered on ensuring this subsequent chapter of technological progress consists of everybody. The long run is related, clever, and inside attain.
That is who we’re—One Cisco, one group, one world, and that is how we energy an inclusive future for all.
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