Cisco Unveils AI-Focused Partner Program and Study Insights to Bridge AI Readiness Gap

Cisco's AI Readiness Study Reveals Opportunities and Challenges

Cisco has released its inaugural study, "Bridging the Customer AI Readiness Gap," which explores the opportunities and challenges facing partners in supporting their customers' AI ambitions. The study, based on a double-blind survey of over 1,500 partners, reveals that IT partners worldwide anticipate a transformative wave of AI technology demand that will drive significant revenue over the next four to five years 1

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The study builds on Cisco's Customer AI Readiness Index, which evaluated global companies' ability to adopt and fully leverage AI. The initial index revealed widespread deficiencies in infrastructure, data, governance, and talent, highlighting a significant gap in customer readiness to implement AI effectively 1

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Cisco's Response: AI Specialization and Training Programs

To address the AI readiness gap, Cisco has introduced several initiatives:

1. AI Fundamentals for Partners: A training program in Cisco's Black Belt Academy that has seen significant engagement, with approximately 900 certifications from 600 companies and nearly 2,000 registrations to date 1

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2. AI-Ready Infrastructure for Partners: A new specialization available to all Cisco partners, free of charge, aligned with the data center and AI products launching at the Partner Summit 1

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Introducing Cisco 360 Partner Program

At the 2024 Partner Summit, Cisco announced the Cisco 360 Partner Program, described as the most significant evolution of their Partner program in 25 years. The program is designed to help Cisco Partners build their workforce, enable outcomes, and lead the way for the industry 2

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Key features of the Cisco 360 Partner Program include:

1. AI-centric and AI-driven learning that is simple, flexible, and accessible.
2. A $60 million investment in Preferred Partners' learning journey.
3. 10 annual all-access subscriptions to Cisco U. for qualified Preferred Partners, enabling their teams to acquire critical skills and achieve or re-certify career certifications 2

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The Importance of AI Readiness and Digital Skills

Cisco emphasizes the critical need for AI readiness and digital skills in the current technological landscape:

1. 92% of roles in the ICT industry are expected to transform due to AI 2

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2. There is a global shortage of 4.6 million cybersecurity professionals, putting the world's digital ecosystem at risk 2

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3. The ability to learn and rapidly translate learning into action will differentiate companies competing in today's AI-driven market 2

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Future Outlook

As Cisco prepares for the 2026 launch of the Cisco 360 Partner Program, the company is focusing on making the "on ramp" easy and setting up for success. The program reflects significant feedback from partners, and Cisco is counting on continued feedback as they bring the new partner enablement initiative to life 2

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Through these initiatives, Cisco aims to empower its partners with the necessary skills and knowledge to address customers' AI readiness needs and aspirations, positioning them as trusted AI advisors in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.