In an exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Rob Barton, CTO and Distinguished Architect at Cisco Canada, offers critical insights into the findings from Cisco’s 2024 AI Readiness Index. As businesses globally intensify their AI investments, Barton sheds light on Canada’s unique challenges—ranging from talent shortages to infrastructure gaps—and the urgent need for decisive action to stay competitive. He explores how Canadian SMBs can build AI-ready foundations, leverage innovative solutions, and align AI initiatives with long-term strategic goals. With AI shaping the future of industries, Barton’s perspective is a vital guide for businesses aiming to harness the transformative power of AI and drive sustainable growth.
Rob Barton, P. Eng, is the CTO of Cisco Canada, and also holds the role of Distinguished Architect. Rob Graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Engineering Physics. Rob is an accomplished author, with titles published on Quality of Service (QoS), Wireless Communications, and the Internet of Things. Additionally, Rob has also co-authored many peer-reviewed academic papers and leads Cisco’s academic research partnership program. Rob holds numerous patents in the areas of wireless communications, network security, cloud networking, IoT, and Machine Learning. His current areas of work include all manner of wireless communications, IT/OT convergence, network automation, and AI/ML in networking systems.
What are the most notable findings from Cisco’s second annual 2024 AI Readiness Index, and what do they reveal about the state of AI adoption globally?
Our 2024 Cisco AI Readiness Index highlights that companies globally are increasing their AI investments, yet many still struggle to overcome challenges like talent shortages and siloed data. With 98% of organizations worldwide feeling heightened urgency over the past year, substantial portions of their budgets are now being channeled into AI strategies and initiatives.
Despite this growing urgency, progress is not keeping pace. Our study found that only 13% of global organizations are fully prepared to deploy AI technologies, marking a slight decline from last year and revealing a growing gap between urgency and readiness.
Our research indicates that while organizations recognize the strategic importance of AI, they struggle to move forward – especially in areas like scaling infrastructure and building the necessary talent pools. If these challenges are not addressed, organizations risk failing to harness AI’s full potential.
What unique challenges do Canadian businesses face in adopting AI, and how can they overcome these obstacles to remain competitive on the global stage?
Canadian businesses face significant challenges in adopting AI, particularly in addressing talent gaps and infrastructure limitations. While organizations acknowledge the urgency of embracing AI, our significant skills shortage is hindering progress. In fact, half of the Canadian businesses surveyed report there aren’t enough workers with the right skills to support AI initiatives.
Infrastructure gaps also pose a critical barrier, especially in terms of high-performance computing and network optimization, which are key ingredients for AI deployments.
To overcome these obstacles and remain competitive on the global stage, Canadian businesses must prioritize bridging the talent gap by investing in training and development programs for their existing workforce and implement strategies to attract top AI talent. Additionally, improving infrastructure through investments in network optimization and stronger cybersecurity will be crucial.
By addressing these critical areas, Canadian businesses will be better positioned to fully leverage AI’s potential and solidify their place in the global AI race.
How does Cisco’s AI Readiness Index assess Canada’s position compared to other countries in terms of AI deployment and innovation?
The data reveals that many of the global trends are reflected in Canada. Similar to the global figures, AI readiness in Canada has decreased year over year, with only 7% of Canadian organizations fully prepared to adopt and deploy AI. Likewise, we see the same need for investment in supporting infrastructure, including cybersecurity, data management and talent.
There is an encouraging bright spot for Canada: 92% of organizations in Canada have an AI strategy in place or under development, far surpassing the global average at 61%. This suggests that Canadian organizations are dedicating considerable effort to planning and strategizing AI adoption.
However, it’s essential that these organizations avoid becoming stuck in a perpetual planning phase. Canadian businesses need to shift their focus to execution and take decisive steps so they can maximize AI’s long-term potential.
Without decisive action, we risk creating an AI gap between organizations—a scenario where businesses that invest and adopt AI gain significant advantages, including better efficiency and performance, greater innovation, and ultimately, come out far ahead of organizations that fall behind and don’t make these investments.
While the challenges are real, building momentum is critical. The goal isn’t for Canada to be 100% fully prepared overnight, but to build a groundswell of progress toward higher levels of AI. By elevating the readiness of the majority, Canadian businesses can stay competitive and thrive in the rapidly advancing age of AI.
As businesses look to the future, what advice would you offer to Canadian SMBs aiming to leverage AI effectively and sustainably in their operations? What specific strategies or solutions is Cisco providing to help Canadian organizations enhance their AI readiness and address the complexities of AI implementation?
For Canadian SMBs looking to leverage AI effectively, it’s essential to establish a strong and robust foundation in three key areas: infrastructure, data management, and talent development. Investing in scalable, adaptive, and secure infrastructure is a critical first step.
As AI continues to evolve, businesses must ensure their infrastructure is capable of supporting future growth and new technologies. Simultaneously, SMBs should focus on strengthening their data management and governance frameworks to ensure data accessibility, consistency, and compliance. These steps are crucial for laying the groundwork for successful AI adoption.
In addition to these recommendations, at Cisco, we like to emphasize the importance of fostering a pro-AI organizational culture. Businesses should look to align their AI initiatives with long-term strategic goals, ensuring that AI projects go beyond enhancing operational efficiencies to become integral to their overall vision. This requires support and advocacy at every level of the organization.
By embedding AI meaningfully and sustainably into their operations, organizations can position themselves for future growth, innovation, and a competitive edge in the current technological landscape.
