10 December 2024, Tue |
2:31 AM
A new study by Cisco, a global leader in networking and security, highlights a significant shift in revenue sources for IT partners in Saudi Arabia, driven by the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. According to the Cisco Global AI Partners Study, titled Bridging the Customer AI Readiness Gap – The Opportunities Ahead for Partners, 35% of Saudi partners predict that 76-100% of their revenue will come from AI within the next 4-5 years.
The study underscores the increasing demand for AI-powered solutions, with infrastructure (30%), cybersecurity (20%), and customer experience (10%) emerging as the primary growth drivers. Nearly half of the partners in Saudi Arabia expect AI-related technology investments to rise by more than 75% during this period, reflecting the transformative potential of AI for businesses across industries.
Short-term projections also reveal a notable revenue impact, with 43% of partners expecting AI to contribute 26-50% of their revenue within the next year. As this trend accelerates, Saudi IT partners are actively positioning themselves to capture the growing demand for AI solutions.
Cisco’s Managing Director for Saudi Arabia, Salman Faqeeh, highlighted the importance of this shift:
“As AI becomes a cornerstone of business transformation in Saudi Arabia, IT partners have an unprecedented opportunity to lead. Cisco is committed to empowering organizations with AI-ready data centers, future-proof workplaces, and digital resilience, aligning with the Kingdom’s digital transformation goals.”
The study reveals strong confidence among partners in deploying AI technologies, with expertise in key areas such as scalable infrastructure, GPU resource management, and data governance. However, challenges remain, including a lack of experience with emerging technologies (65%) and gaps in systems knowledge (45%). To address these, 73% of partners are investing in upskilling employees through training programs and external expertise.
The Cisco Global AI Partners Study, conducted across 29 markets, aligns with findings from the Cisco AI Readiness Index, which highlights global gaps in AI adoption readiness, particularly in infrastructure and talent. Cisco’s collaborative approach aims to bridge these gaps, ensuring businesses in Saudi Arabia are equipped to leverage AI’s transformative potential and drive digital innovation.
