The AI Pressure on IT
Artificial Intelligence is moving from pilot projects to the backbone of enterprise strategy. IT leaders now face relentless pressure to deliver networks that are faster, more secure, and more adaptive than ever. Yet many are still running operations on fragmented tools, manual workflows, and disjointed systems that were never designed for the speed of AI adoption.
In fact, according to Extreme Networks’ State of Cloud Networking 2025 report, 89% of C-level executives and IT VPs want a single, integrated platform to simplify operations and support AI initiatives. The message is clear: the old way of networking won’t keep pace with the future.
Why Unified Platforms Are the Future
Enterprises are discovering that the answer isn’t adding more tools, but consolidating them. A unified platform approach – or platformization – brings networking, security, and automation into one seamless system, reducing complexity and giving IT teams visibility across their environment.
This shift unlocks:
- Faster operations by automating repetitive tasks.
- Stronger security through zero-trust principles baked into every layer.
- Smarter decision-making with AI insights that help teams anticipate, not just react.
Instead of spending hours firefighting issues, IT can focus on innovation, strategy, and supporting the business.
From Hype to Reality: AI in the Network
The buzz around AI often centers on tools and use cases, but the real transformation happens when AI is built into the infrastructure itself. Networks that can self-heal, auto-optimize, and adapt in real time move organizations beyond basic AIOps to true AI-driven operations.
Imagine replacing hours of manual troubleshooting with conversational AI that delivers instant answers — or creating custom dashboards on the fly to monitor what matters most to your business. That’s where enterprise networking is heading, and the organizations that prepare now will have a competitive edge.
One Example: Extreme Platform ONE™
Extreme Platform ONE™ is one of the first industry platforms designed specifically for this new era. By unifying networking, security, and automation into a single, composable environment, it gives IT leaders the tools to simplify operations and scale AI-readiness across the enterprise.
Its architecture reflects where the industry is going: zero-touch, zero-trust, and AI at the core — not as an add-on. The result is improved business outcomes, lower costs, and more resilient networks that are ready for whatever comes next.
Bottom Line
AI is rewriting the rules of enterprise IT, and networks must evolve to keep pace. Unified platforms offer the clarity, control, and intelligence that IT leaders need to thrive in an environment defined by speed and complexity.
The question for IT leaders isn’t if this shift will happen — it’s how quickly you can get your organization ready.
Explore how a unified platform approach can help you prepare for AI-driven IT.
