The latest Cisco global AI partners study, Bridging the Customer AI Readiness Gap – The opportunities ahead for partners, underscores the critical importance of security as technology partners in the Asia Pacific region prepare for a transformative wave driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The survey reveals that 40% of partners anticipate that over half of their revenue will derive from AI technologies in the next four to five years, highlighting their confidence in deploying secure AI solutions for customers.
The study indicates that 44% of partners expect demand for AI-related technology investments to surge by 75% within the same period. Key drivers for this demand include infrastructure (31%), cybersecurity (17%), and customer experience (9%). As AI adoption accelerates, partners foresee a substantial shift in their revenue mix. Notably, 35% predict that AI will contribute between 26% to 50% of their revenue by next year, with even greater contributions anticipated in the future.
Alex Pujols, VP of global partner engineering at Cisco, emphasized that the potential of AI to transform business operations comes with the imperative of strengthening security measures. He noted that as AI technologies proliferate, ensuring robust cybersecurity is essential to safeguarding customer trust and organizational integrity.
The findings reinforce the vital role partners play in helping clients navigate the security challenges associated with AI deployment.
While partners express strong confidence in their AI knowledge, they also recognize significant security challenges that must be addressed. Among these, 64% cite a lack of experience in deploying new technologies, while 54% point to insufficient knowledge of security systems and processes. Additionally, 52% mention the limited availability of secure technologies. In response, nearly 80% of partners are investing in upskilling their workforce, focusing on AI-related competencies and security training to mitigate these risks.
Iris Feng, General Manager of Cisco Hong Kong, Macau, and South China, highlighted the company’s commitment to integrating AI advancements with robust cybersecurity measures. As the region embraces the potential of AI, Cisco aims to empower organizations to harness these innovations while ensuring their digital environments remain secure and resilient against emerging threats.