Cisco, the global leader in networking and security, recently conducted a study called the Cisco Global AI Partners Study. The study revealed that IT partners worldwide are expecting a significant increase in demand for AI technologies, which will drive a large portion of their revenue in the next four to five years. According to the study, more than a quarter of partners surveyed believe that 76-100% of their revenue will come from AI-related technologies during this period.
The study identified infrastructure, cybersecurity, and customer experience as the main drivers of AI technology demand, presenting significant revenue opportunities for partners. Partners are confident in their knowledge and understanding of deploying AI solutions and are investing in upskilling to meet the demands of the market.
Partners are anticipating a shift in their revenue mix, with a significant contribution from AI technologies expected in both the short and long term. In the short term, 38% of partners anticipate that AI will contribute to 26-50% of their revenue within a year, with expectations for even higher contributions in the long run.
Alex Pujols, VP of Global Partner Engineering at Cisco, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in business operations and highlighted the revenue opportunities for IT partners in leading AI deployment. The study underscores the importance of AI readiness and the role partners play in helping customers achieve it.
The study also revealed that partners are confident in their knowledge of AI technologies but are aware of the challenges they need to address. The biggest challenges include inexperience in deploying new technologies, lack of knowledge of systems and processes, and a shortage of available technologies. To overcome these challenges, partners are heavily investing in upskilling their employees in AI-related competencies through internal and external training programs.
Overall, the Cisco Global AI Partners Study highlights the significant opportunities for IT partners in the AI era and the importance of being prepared to meet the increasing demand for AI technologies. By focusing on AI readiness and investing in upskilling, partners can position themselves to drive transformative outcomes for their customers and leverage the opportunities presented by AI technologies.