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 international networks, and supported the infrastructure that powers the whole lot from on-line studying to international commerce. For instance, Cisco’s Networking Academy has skilled over 2.6 million learners within the US because the program’s inception, empowering them with important digital literacy and know-how abilities.
We’ve completed that for tens of millions worldwide. In Franceas an example, we’re working with native companions to make use of AI and sensor know-how 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 the stepwe companion with the town to ship Webex and Cisco networking options to make sure weak and at-risk residents can seamlessly hook up with important providers.
Now, as AI redefines what’s attainable—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 That is ai for good summitthe UN’s main platform for utilizing AI to sort out international challenges, and to launch a brand new white paper: Connecting the Future: How Connectivity and AI Unlock New Potentialco-developed with the THAT, Atlantic Counciland Entry Partnership.
The Two-Manner Relationship Between AI and Connectivity
What’s the relationship between AI and connectivity? Initially, AI can not succeed with out robust digital infrastructure. AI additionally has the facility 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 consumer 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 sooner, safer, and extra environment friendly. That is particularly important in areas the place networks should scale shortly.
At Cisco, we’re constructing the applied sciences that make this attainable. Take for instance ThousandEyes which leverages AI to allow sooner and extra dependable connections, or our Cisco Nexus switches and AI-native infrastructure options which automate community efficiency and optimize information middle efficiency.
Addressing the Readiness Hole
In response to Cisco’s AI Readiness Index, 98% of worldwide enterprise leaders say AI adoption is extra pressing than ever, but solely 13% really feel absolutely ready. Greater than half of those companies have expressed that their infrastructure lacks the scalability to help AI, and 78% doubt they’ve the computing assets wanted to maintain up.
This isn’t stunning—with 3.7 billion folks nonetheless missing dependable web entry, the digital divide threatens to turn out to be an AI divide.
As a part of our broader Partner2Connect pledge to deal with this hole, Cisco launched a $1 billion international AI funding fund to speed up the event of safe, reliable applied sciences and infrastructure and we’re already seeing its affect.
- In Saudi Arabiawe’ve partnered with Human ai to help nationwide infrastructure, launch a Cisco AI Institute at KAUSToperationalize safe information facilities, and upskill 500,000 learners in AI, cybersecurity, and programming.
- In Francewe’re growing a International AI Hub centered on energy-efficient infrastructure, startup innovation, and workforce improvement. We’ve additionally expanded our collaboration with Mistral you might have and dedicated to establishing a middle of excellence for information middle innovation and prepare 230,000 folks in AI and digital abilities over the subsequent three years.
Infrastructure Wants Individuals
Infrastructure alone isn’t sufficient. AI’s full potential is dependent upon folks having the abilities to construct, deploy, and use it responsibly. But tens of millions nonetheless lack the digital and AI abilities wanted to take part within the financial system of tomorrow.
By means 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 international establishments should now work collectively to combine AI literacy into nationwide curricula, broaden entry to digital public infrastructure, and make upskilling a central pillar of financial improvement.
A Shared Duty
AI and connectivity are usually not separate agendas—they’re a part of the identical transformation. One can not 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 neighborhood, one world, and that is how we energy an inclusive future for all.
Share:
