Cisco Global AI Partners Study Reveals Transformative AI Technology Demand
Cisco recently released its findings from the new Cisco Global AI Partners Study, shedding light on the transformative wave of AI technology demand that IT partners across the world are anticipating. The study, titled Bridging the Customer AI Readiness Gap – The Opportunities Ahead for Partners, shows that over the next four to five years, the majority of revenue for IT partners is expected to come from AI-related technologies. In APJC alone, 40% of partners believe that over 50% of their revenue will be derived from AI-related technologies during this period.
The Demand for AI-related Technology Investments
According to the study, 44% of partners anticipate that the demand for AI-related technology investments will grow by more than 75% in the next four to five years. Partners highlighted infrastructure (31%), cybersecurity (17%), and customer experience (9%) as the top three drivers of AI technology demand in the coming years. Additionally, the research suggests that partners anticipate a significant transformation in their revenue mix as AI demand surges.
The Role of Partners in AI Deployment
On this point, Cisco’s VP of Global Partner Engineering, Alex Pujols stated, “The potential for AI to transform business operations is immense and realizing this requires a concerted effort to strengthen our partners’ practical deployment capabilities.” Pujols also emphasized the significant revenue opportunities for IT partners to lead AI deployment and drive transformative outcomes for customers in the AI era.
Partners’ Confidence and Investments in Overcoming Challenges
The study indicates a robust confidence among partners in their knowledge and understanding of various aspects related to AI technologies. However, partners are aware of the challenges they need to address in order to maximize the opportunities ahead. The most significant challenges identified include inexperience in deploying new technologies, lack of knowledge of systems and processes, and a shortage of available technologies.
To tackle these challenges, partners are heavily investing in upskilling their existing employees in AI-related competencies. Specifically, 80% of partners are either conducting internal training or engaging external vendors to provide specialized training in AI technologies.
Conclusion
The Cisco Global AI Partners Study provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of AI technology demand and the crucial role that IT partners play in driving AI deployment. Partners are gearing up to meet the challenges ahead by investing in upskilling their workforce and capitalizing on the revenue opportunities presented by the AI era.
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