Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 4, Cisco Systems announced on Monday the launch of a new computing device designed to run artificial intelligence workloads locally at sites such as retail stores, factory floors, and healthcare facilities, aiming to accelerate AI data processing. The platform, named Cisco Unified Edge, seeks to bring AI infrastructure closer to where data is generated, reducing the strain on traditional data centers that are increasingly taxed by complex AI models and high network traffic.

A sign bearing the logo for communications and security tech giant Cisco Systems Inc is seen outside one of its offices in San Jose, California, U.S. August 11, 2022.

The platform is built with an Intel chip and has already seen early adoption by Verizon. Cisco expects general availability by the end of the year. The initiative is part of a broader industry trend, with technology companies investing tens of billions of dollars to expand data center capacity to support the growing demand for AI applications.

Cisco’s Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel said: "As AI agents and experiences proliferate, they will naturally emerge closer to where customers interact and decisions are made – the branch office, retail store, factory floor, stadium, and more." The device is designed to enable faster AI computations directly at operational sites, allowing enterprises to deploy AI-driven solutions without depending solely on centralized cloud or data center infrastructure.

The Unified Edge platform targets industries where rapid data processing and low-latency AI inference are critical, including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and retail. By handling AI workloads locally, organizations can improve operational efficiency, reduce network congestion, and deliver real-time insights.

Cisco’s approach reflects a growing focus on “edge computing,” where computation is performed near the data source rather than being sent to centralized data centers. This trend has gained momentum as AI applications, particularly those involving reasoning and agentic models, increase data and network demands.

Early deployments, such as Verizon’s adoption of Cisco Unified Edge, demonstrate its potential to enhance enterprise AI capabilities and provide a scalable solution for local AI operations. Cisco aims for widespread availability by year-end, positioning the device as a strategic tool for organizations seeking to expand AI use cases at the operational level.

Overall, the launch of Cisco Unified Edge highlights the industry’s push to integrate AI closer to the point of action, ensuring that businesses can harness AI effectively for decision-making, automation, and enhanced customer experiences while managing network and infrastructure demands.