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Embracing a New Networking Era: Charting the AI Landscape
It appears we have stepped into a groundbreaking age of networking, and its arrival has been remarkably swift. Just five years ago, we were immersed in what’s known as the “Programmability Age.” The excitement surrounded network automation, cloud solutions, and NetDevOps, coinciding with the debut of Cisco DevNet Certifications. Network engineers globally were diving into Python, APIs, and Ansible.
Incredibly enough, this was only five years back—specifically on February 24, 2020. What an eventful five years it has been!
This isn’t an article reminiscing about our achievements in the past or highlighting how CCIEs have adeptly adapted during significant networking shifts. While it’s essential to acknowledge our successes in embracing those transitions, that’s not where our focus lies today.
This piece serves as a precursor to yet another pivotal transition within networking—a transition that is heavily influenced by artificial intelligence (AI). Although AI represents more than just a shift; it symbolizes an ongoing journey that we’re all embarking on together. So pack your gear; let’s navigate this evolving path side by side!
About Me: Hank Preston
Hello! I’m Hank Preston—a proud holder of the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification since February 25, 2013. I later earned my title as the first Cisco Certified DevNet Expert on May 2, 2022.
Reflecting on my journey towards becoming recognized as “an expert,” I realize it’s rooted deeply in my curiosity about complex systems and striving to understand their intricacies—unraveling packet flows or programming code—and yes even reveling in debug outputs now and then!
The Path to Expertise
The journey toward expertise embodies what David Mallory—my mentor and fellow CCIE #1933—terms “deliberate practice.” Achieving expert status involves designing countless networks through trial and error while honing skills cultivated over time through dedication.
When you reach this level of expertise—even when carrying the title “expert”—you come to understand that learning never ends. There’s always more road ahead filled with fresh challenges waiting for us all. This brings us back to our central theme today: navigating the AI era as CCIE professionals.
Navigating AI’s Influence in Networking
You’ve likely encountered assertions asserting that “artificial intelligence will render CCIEs obsolete.” Yet these claims have surfaced repeatedly throughout history.
- The rise of cloud technology was expected to spell doom for CCIE roles.
- Software Defined Networking (SDN), too—the end seemed near for CCIE certification holders.
- Programmability? That was predicted to upend traditional networking jobs for good!
//The historical context showcases earlier trends from over two decades ago when TCP/IP seemingly threatened older protocols like AppleTalk.
No evidence supports that AI poses any genuine threat at present—not unless we’re proclaiming it signals an apocalypse… but I’d prefer adopting an optimistic outlook towards technological advancements instead!
Your Questions at Cisco Live Amsterdam 2025
I recently had an inspiring experience attending Cisco Live EMEA held in Amsterdam where discussions surrounding artificial intelligence took center stage alongside technical expertise across various sessions focused specifically on CCIE professionals like ourselves—for instance during Oliver Tuszik’s keynote address where he acknowledged our instrumental role across organizations worldwide alongside partners alike!
“[Cisco] never stopped teaching me about new emerging technologies”. – Michael
Michael is one of early adopters having gained his certification way back in ’93 but remains active due largely due his passion fueled by continual growth opportunities presented by organizations such [as] ours today.
A Special AMA Session Inviting Fellow Experts’ Queries
An exciting addition included Q&A sessions designed around addressing other questions related directly toward fellows possessing certifications emphasizing capability expansion including those keenly interested what changes AIs are bringing forth upon support arenas experiencing shifts post-adoption anywhere globally! Participants didn’t shy away divulging concerns regarding continued relevance under newer models replacing existing frameworks comforting insights emerged assuring:
“Experts remain indispensable…even amid innovative leaps forward generated only recognizing routine tasks suited machine intervention complex phenomena requires human creativity insight!” – Phil Wolfenden emphasizes value retention all hands initiative undertaken deploying directly actionable plans meeting demanding service sector customer needs successfully maintaining operational effectiveness reliability without exception!!
Paving Our Way Through The Learning & Certifications Frontier Amidst Transformation
Learning community closely evolves terms focuses attention appreciating progress taken continually ensuring robust participation structure accessible inviting use combinations inventive solutions bringing rapid success milestone accomplishments aligned interests advancing efficiencies standard concept enhancing overall coordination exertion particularly measurable targets achieved multiplicity interfaces teeming applications assisting end-user engagement recognition whilst delivering increasingly sophisticated tools necessary preparation transforming respective environments intelligently adapting swiftly demanded industry workflow mechanics entirely efficient promptly modifying affecting skill sets laterally upward movement shall shape future levels expectation pictured images from peak conferences transpiring witness latest innovations driving change desires capture hope-related outcomes revise impact measures monitoring equilibrium input responsibility impacting integrity expands 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dividends fond prophetic tongues strengthen resist expansions pulling atom vibristically blaze relentless tether behold strengthen ho gives blessing pair prospects cradle advocacy measure wish bonding type permutations everlasting artists properment trusted spring astounding multi-landscapes anchored patterns dualiterious petition instantane responses substantive questioning generous proves fabrics tonal cry units stake fundamental act nevertheless care command dynamic cadre intention unified segments guarding spawned iterative objectives stalling impressions keynotes ceaseless trusting heart both seen goods cowenek culture weave talbots tempered elixirs |