According to the new Cisco Global AI Partners Study, IT partners around the world are anticipating a transformative AI demand that will drive the majority of their revenue over the next four-to-five years.
According to the study, more than a quarter (26%) of partners surveyed in the UAE believe that as much as 76-100% of their revenue will come from AI-related technologies during this period.
The study highlighted that 43% of partners in the UAE believe the demand for AI-related technology investments will grow by more than 75% in the next four-to-five years. The top three drivers of AI technology demand were identified as infrastructure (26%), cybersecurity (26%), and sustainability management (11%).
As AI demand surges, partners in the UAE also foresee a significant shift in their revenue mix. In the short-term, 37% anticipate that AI will contribute to 26-50% of their revenue per year, while in the long run, contribution is expected to become even higher.
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“As AI becomes a cornerstone of business transformation in the UAE and broader region, it’s essential for our partners to be equipped with the skills and tools needed to lead this shift,” said Ossama Eldeeb, Regional Director for the Partner Organization in the Middle East and Africa, Cisco. “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 and technological advancements.”
While partners show strong confidence in their knowledge and understanding of deploying AI technologies, they also understand the challenges they need to address to maximize the opportunities ahead. The biggest ones are inexperience in deploying new technologies (69%), lack of knowledge of systems and processes (51%), and a lack of available technologies (46%). To address these challenges, partners are already heavily investing in upskilling existing employees in AI-related competencies, with almost 74% conducting either internal trainings or inviting external vendors to provide specialized training.
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