Cisco Unveils Unified Edge, an Integrated Computing Platform for Distributed AI Workloads

On the 3rd (local time), Cisco Systems, Inc. (Cisco) announced the launch of its integrated computing and networking platform, 'Cisco Unified Edge,' designed for distributed artificial intelligence (AI) workloads at the Cisco Partner Summit 2025 held in San Diego, California.
Cisco Unified Edge is a platform that consolidates computing, networking, storage, and security into a single solution, enabling real-time AI inference and agentic workloads at the point where data is generated and processed. This platform provides the foundational infrastructure needed to realize the vision of AI, supporting both existing and next-generation AI workloads.
Today, more than half of all AI pilot projects are stalled due to infrastructure limitations, highlighting the need for a new distributed network architecture. With predictions that 75% of all enterprise data will be generated and processed at the edge this year, the edge is emerging as a new frontier for AI. As AI workloads rapidly shift from centralized model training to real-time inference, traditional data centers can no longer meet the growing demands of AI. The rise of AI agents is also transforming network traffic from predictable, intermittent patterns to continuous and intensive flows. Agent-based AI queries generate up to 25 times more network traffic than typical chatbots. Therefore, deploying models and infrastructure at the point of data generation and decision-making is essential for AI workloads.
Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer (CPO) at Cisco, stated, "Current infrastructure cannot handle the massive demand for AI," adding, "As AI agents and experiences proliferate, they will naturally operate closer to where customers live their daily lives—right at the point where data is created and decisions are made." He continued, "Computing now needs to be present at the edge," and emphasized, "Through Cisco Unified Edge, we will help enterprises implement AI more easily in real-world environments, providing a flexible and secure system that is easy to deploy, operate, and scale."

solidkjy@fnnews.com Gu Ja-yoon Reporter