Cisco Study Reveals UAE IT Partners Expect Surge in AI Revenue

Cisco, a global networking and security company, has released findings from its Cisco Global AI Partners Study titled Bridging the Customer AI Readiness Gap – The Opportunities Ahead for Partners. The study reveals that IT partners worldwide are preparing for a transformative surge in AI technology demand, which is expected to drive the majority of their revenue over the next four to five years.

In the UAE, over a quarter (26%) of IT partners surveyed anticipate that 76-100% of their revenue will stem from AI-related technologies during this period. Additionally, 43% of UAE partners expect AI technology investments to grow by more than 75% in the next few years.

The report identifies key drivers of AI demand, with 26% of partners pointing to infrastructure, 26% citing cybersecurity, and 11% highlighting sustainability management. As demand for AI escalates, a significant shift in revenue mix is expected. In the short term, 37% of UAE partners predict AI will contribute 26-50% of their revenue within a year, with this percentage set to increase over time.

Ossama Eldeeb, Regional Director for the Partner Organization in the Middle East and Africa at Cisco, emphasized the importance of equipping partners with the skills and tools needed to lead the AI transformation. “The study’s findings reveal substantial opportunities for partners to drive AI adoption and support businesses in harnessing the full potential of AI. By investing in readiness and innovation, Cisco and our partners are prepared to deliver impactful solutions that align with the region’s ambitions,” Eldeeb said.

The study, which surveyed over 1,500 IT partners across 29 markets, sheds light on the capabilities partners need to deploy AI technologies. Cisco’s AI Readiness Index also highlights global challenges in AI adoption, particularly gaps in infrastructure, data management, governance, and talent.

Despite these challenges, partners remain confident in their ability to support AI adoption. Key areas of focus for AI deployment include building scalable infrastructure, ensuring GPU resources for ongoing projects, managing data latency and throughput, and understanding data sovereignty and privacy laws. However, 69% of partners identified inexperience in deploying new technologies, 51% cited a lack of knowledge of systems and processes, and 46% pointed to a shortage of available technologies as major hurdles.

To overcome these challenges, partners are heavily investing in upskilling their workforce. Nearly 74% are conducting internal training or collaborating with external vendors to provide specialized AI training, ensuring they are well-prepared for the coming AI-driven shift.

The Cisco Global AI Partners Study underscores the critical role partners play in helping businesses become AI-ready, paving the way for AI’s broader adoption and integration across industries.