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AI Demands New Infrastructure: How Saudi Arabia’s Networks Are Powering Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia prioritizes modern, secure, and resilient networks to support AI and Vision 2030 goals. Upgrading infrastructure boosts efficiency, innovation, and customer experience.
Infrastructure is Key as Saudi Arabia Advances AI and Vision 2030
As artificial intelligence reshapes how enterprises operate, the underlying network infrastructure must keep pace. Ahead of the “Cisco Connect – CXO Edition” event in Riyadh, Cisco shared insights from its global networking study, focusing on Saudi Arabia’s evolving IT landscape.
AI-driven workloads, connected devices, and continuous uptime requirements demand faster, more secure, and adaptive networks. For operations leaders, this means rethinking infrastructure not just as support, but as a strategic asset that enables growth and resilience.
Saudi Arabia’s Network Priorities in the AI Era
- Modern networks are strategic: Every IT leader surveyed recognizes modernized networks as essential for AI, IoT, and cloud adoption. Nearly all (94%) plan to allocate more budget to networking.
- Security is mission critical: Almost all respondents (98%) view secure networking as vital, with 65% calling it critical. Better networks are expected to boost cybersecurity.
- Resilience matters: 97% say network resilience is key amid frequent outages caused by congestion, cyberattacks, and errors.
- AI drives revenue growth: Over half (52%) see AI-enabled networks as a main driver for enhanced customer experience and faster service delivery.
- Infrastructure needs upgrading: Two-thirds report current data centers fall short of AI demands; 90% intend to expand capacity on-premises, in the cloud, or both.
- Smarter networks are the future: While nearly all agree autonomous AI-powered networks are essential, only 40% have implemented intelligent network features like segmentation and visibility.
Delivering Business Value Today and Tomorrow
Operations leaders in Saudi Arabia are already seeing returns from network improvements, such as better customer experiences (61%), higher efficiency (62%), and more innovation (54%). However, sustaining this value depends on upgrading infrastructure to handle AI workloads and real-time scaling.
Key Challenges to Address
- System silos: 62% identify siloed or partially integrated systems as a barrier.
- Incomplete deployments: 42% say partial implementations hinder progress.
- Manual oversight: 39% want more automation and intelligent network management.
Investments in smarter, secure, and adaptive networks make financial sense. Nearly all respondents (92%) expect improved networks to drive revenue, while 97% foresee cost savings from fewer outages, streamlined operations, and reduced energy consumption.
Looking Ahead
Building networks that support AI and meet Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals requires focus on integration, automation, and resilience. IT and operations teams must prioritize infrastructure upgrades to ensure business continuity and competitive advantage.
For operations professionals interested in AI and network modernization, exploring targeted training can help you stay ahead of these trends. Resources on AI courses and automation training offer practical skills that align with these infrastructure shifts.
About the Research
This data comes from a global survey conducted in December 2024 by Sandpiper Research & Insights for Cisco. It involved 8,065 senior IT and business leaders responsible for networking at organizations with more than 250 employees, across 30 markets.
About Cisco
Cisco has been a leader in networking technology for over 40 years, helping organizations securely connect and protect their digital assets. Its AI-powered solutions support businesses in improving productivity and resilience as they adapt to new technology demands.