Cisco Warns of AI-Driven Connectivity Surge: New Fabric Emerging

Cisco's Bob Everson testified before the Senate Commerce Telecom Subcommittee on July 30, highlighting how AI is reshaping global connectivity and creating a new 'connectivity fabric.'

The rise of AI has altered network traffic patterns, with Cisco projecting a 209% surge in AI-driven campus and branch traffic over the next three years.

AI agents generate significantly more traffic per task than human users, placing strain on legacy infrastructure. To manage this load efficiently, Everson emphasized the importance of edge computing in reducing costs and securing sensitive data.

Cisco is using AI to monitor and manage modern networks in real-time through 'agentic operations,' which allows networks to self-heal and operate at machine speed.