Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a common buzzword, especially with the rise of Generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT, which can create entirely new data and human-like content. However, AI technology is nothing new. At Cisco Learning & Certifications, we have been providing training on predictive AI technology for years. Yet, in the short time since it came on the scene, GenAI (with its millions of practical use cases) has significantly accelerated adoption, increased data flows across devices, and increased the workload demands on networks.
Today, companies need powerful, flexible networks that can scale to the demands of GenAI. Realizing the full potential of AI across networks, however, requires a people-first mindset that empowers the individuals building and using this technology to drive better business outcomes.
At its best, AI is an effective partnership between humans and machines, underscoring the need for companies to find the right talent for their IT investments. With many companies already embarking on this journey, AI skills are in high demand. In fact, an Upwork survey found that GenAI job posts on the platform were up more than 1,000%, and GenAI-related job searches were up more than 1,500% in the second quarter of 2023.
A strong foundational understanding of technology and managing networks is the first and most important step to learning the skills needed for AI. As a learning organization, we are focused on equipping our community of learners with the expertise needed to tackle the challenges of today and in the future. IT professionals must be agile, as technological expertise is no longer static — it is moving just as fast as technology is changing. The skills needed for tomorrow may not be what an individual has today, so we must continue to build upon one’s foundational knowledge of technology and continue to evolve for an ever-changing technological landscape.
With many companies ramping up investments in GenAI-powered applications to boost productivity and realize rapid returns, they will need qualified talent for the new roles this technology is creating. We look at this challenge from the lens of the IT professional:
- How do I start to familiarize myself with AI?
- What are the skills needed for AIOps and what do I need to learn?
- How do I design, operate, and deploy AI-ready networks with Cisco technology?
That’s why Cisco Learning & Certifications has released two tutorials for IT professionals who are interested in learning more about how GenAI can shape network engineering and operations:
- Tutorial #1: Create a ChatGPT Client with Python: In this beginner tutorial, learners can create their very own chatbot with AI. They will be introduced to the basics of AI, Python, ChatGPT, and prompt engineering.
- Tutorial #2: Chatting with Cisco IOS XE: In this intermediate tutorial, learners will be introduced to a variety of modern AI developer tools, including Cisco pyATS, ChatGPT, Langchain, ChromaDB, and Streamlit.
Along with these fundamental tutorials, Cisco U. offers courses and learning paths that provide a personalized learning approach to building the expertise needed for AI and other technology challenges:
- Foundations of Generative AI
- Ethical and Privacy Concerns with Generative AI
- Catalyst Center Assurance
- ThousandEyes Internet Insights
- Meraki Insight
- Cisco Enterprise Network Assurance (ENNA) Specialist Certification
As network demands and complexity increase, you need continuous skills learning to leverage the power of new, disruptive technologies, like AI. The gold standard in IT training, Cisco Learning & Certifications, is empowering organizations and individuals to meet new talent demands head-on. We offer a dynamic and collaborative learning environment for ongoing learning, personalized technical training and certifications, and a vibrant global community of network professionals to get the most out of the latest technological advancements, maximize IT investments, and thrive in the digital economy of the future.
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AI is power now !
those who neglect new skills will become irrelevant in the industry.
We have to adapt or perish
Excellent insights and resources to start learning on how to use GenAI for network engineering and operations.
I am CCNP certified but now my career is struck off and looking for the right course and job to keep me satisfied.
Great links noted for additional learning and information.
Great blog and very helpful for the future (I mean present) on Network Engineers!!!
AI skills are requirements for all sections.
I use AI for the supports in learning, searching,…
Thank you for the article. This is an exciting new direction in networking that will change the face of what we do.
very nice introduction to Python and AI thanks
Thanks for the information and links.
AI is a new area to explore and the more information on how it can be utilised with cisco hardware/platforms is needed.
AI is the future!
Great insights
Excellent insights and resources
Thank you for the great insights and ressources for further learning!
Very interesting courses
Thanks for sharing the Tutorials and other informations. very insightful.
Excellent
Great blog and very helpful.
This is cool, thank you so much Par for sharing your insights! Like many IT guys, I was wondering: so, what should I start with in regards to utilizing AI technology with Networking? thank you for the tutorials too.
AI is power Now, we will have to adapt as quickly as possible
This well structured article. I encourage all readers to take advantage of the Lab links shared. So as to up skill their knowledge.
Excellent insight and information. I will looking forward for sure..
continuous skills learning to leverage the power of new, disruptive technologies
Great insight and interesting read
Great links noted for additional learning and information.
Very insightful, thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing the tutorials. The “Chat with Your Cisco IOS XE Routing Table Using AI” looks really fun and useful and shows how it could ease troubleshooting. We will definitely play with it a bit.
Thank you for sharing this very important information.
At the moment I’m only using it as a consultant to find out information out on new products and do the heavy lifting for some code but you have to know how to talk to them and check over their work, never take it as a fully trusted source.
I do like the potential I have seen in it and I view it as a new tool and not as a threat as some people may see it.
Great insights and resources..!!
Thank you for sharing this ressources.
This is great! AI will help us alot.
I like ecology a lot and I haven’t studied it much but I know a lot about it and can do a lot about the future. SG technical
Trying to get under the skin of this.
Thank you for the great insights
AI is new normal now in the technology, helps to get things done fast.
This is great and thanks for Cisco U training pointers
AI is coming.
Great to hear that Cisco is staying at the leading edge of training and certification. Thanks for the pointers to the free training, I will certianly give it a look.
Awesome read on GenAI , definitely relevant and powerful in this day and age
It’s fascinating to see how GenAI is not just reshaping IT infrastructures but also the skill sets required in the industry.
Thanks for sharing informative information, Its really helpful for me.
Thank you for the article.
Excelente blog, gracias por compartir esta información.
Wow so interesting info. Thanks for share this info and help us to access a great group of resources.
Great blog
Excellent insights and resources, gotta learn some new things now.
AI is providing the knowledge to everyone , so that we no need to go to anyone for assistance.
AI is providing the knowledge to everyone , so that we no need to go to anyone for assistance.