Network outages are not just frustrating; they are costly, too. According to a Gartner report, a staggering 91% of businesses suffer at least one outage per quarter and the problem is often rooted in outdated network design strategies that cannot keep up with the demands of today's digital landscape.
The exponential growth of AI, automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) has only magnified the shortcomings of these legacy systems. The complex applications, unpredictable workloads in today’s hybrid working environment and the sheer volume of data generated by these technologies are overwhelming traditional designs, making it difficult to ensure network resilience.
Staying competitive in the digital age demands a proactive approach. Businesses must embrace AI-ready networks that can adapt and scale to meet the ever-evolving needs of the modern enterprise. These intelligent networks leverage AI and machine learning to optimise performance, predict potential failures and even autonomously resolve issues in real time, ensuring uninterrupted operations and safeguarding the bottom line.
In today's landscape, downtime costs are too steep to ignore. For businesses determined to thrive, the question isn't whether you need an AI-ready network but how quickly you can embrace this essential transformation.
What is an AI-ready network?
An AI-ready network is not just about speed and reliability. It is designed to be an intelligent and adaptable infrastructure that will evolve alongside your business. By harnessing the power of AI and machine learning, these next-generation networks optimise performance, proactively anticipate issues and self-adjust to changing demands.
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Instead of merely reacting to problems, these intelligent infrastructures predict and prevent them, ensuring seamless business operations. Their dynamic foundation is designed to scale and adapt to your evolving needs, unlocking new levels of efficiency and agility. With real-time analytics and predictive modelling, they optimise performance, anticipate bottlenecks and proactively manage network resources.
Before building an AI-ready network, you need to assess your network infrastructure to understand where you stand critically. Embarking on an AI journey without a solid foundation is akin to building a skyscraper on quicksand — it is simply not sustainable.
Assessing your current infrastructure
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To ensure your network is primed for the AI revolution, consider these key evaluation points:
- Legacy technology: When were your network components last upgraded? Outdated hardware and software can create bottlenecks and compatibility issues, impeding the seamless integration of AI solutions.
- Capacity constraints: Can your existing infrastructure handle the data-intensive demands of AI workloads? AI applications often require significant processing power and bandwidth, pushing legacy networks to their limits.
- Data silos: Are different parts of your network operating in isolation? This fragmentation can severely hinder AI adoption, which depends on the seamless integration and analysis of data across the enterprise.
- Speed and latency: Can your network sustain huge data transfer between devices, servers and data centres without delay or interference? This is important as AI models typically rely on real-time data processing to make informed and accurate decisions.
Strategising for success
Building an AI-ready network is a strategic process that requires careful planning and a phased approach. To embark on this transformative journey, define a clear vision for your AI-ready network. For instance, what are your business objectives and how will AI enhance your operations? A well-articulated strategy will guide your investment decisions and ensure alignment with your overall business goals.
Many organisations also fall into the trap of trying to overhaul their entire network overnight. This approach can overwhelm resources, disrupt operations and lead to costly setbacks. Instead, adopt a phased implementation strategy, starting with pilot projects in specific areas. This allows you to test and refine AI solutions in a controlled environment, minimising risk and maximising the potential for success.
Other areas to consider are data sovereignty and AI security. Strong emphasis must be placed on adopting responsible AI practices. When working with AI, comprehensive guardrails must be set to ensure transparency, accountability, intellectual property compliance and data privacy. Without them, unforeseen data breaches can have catastrophic consequences, from financial loss to operational disruption and reputation damage.
Once implemented with these in mind, an AI-ready network demands continuous monitoring and optimisation to maintain peak performance. Organisations could also leverage AI-powered analytics to proactively identify trends, predict potential issues, and fine-tune network configurations. And if push comes to shove, detect and neutralise threats from hackers targeting business customers. This proactive approach ensures the network remains safe, adaptable and resilient despite evolving demands.
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The investment in an AI-ready network extends far beyond improved performance. It is a catalyst for transformation, streamlining operations through AI-powered automation, enhancing security with real-time threat detection and providing valuable insights for data-driven decision-making.
An AI-ready network empowers businesses to scale and thrive in the digital age by minimising downtime, optimising resource allocation and staying ahead of the curve with innovative solutions.
The AI revolution is already reshaping industries, so don't let an outdated network hold you back. Instead, embrace this revolution by taking the necessary steps to build an AI-ready network today. This investment will pay dividends in the coming years, propelling your business to new heights in the digital age.
Rodney Kinchington is the managing director for Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa at BT Business
