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Industry Leaders Discuss AI's Impact on Networking

August 20, 2025

Recent insights from industry leaders indicate that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is influencing network operations and expectations for infrastructure performance. Experts from Carahsoft, AvidThink, and Aviz Networks contributed to this discussion, examining AI-driven observability, open networking through SONiC, and automation to enhance network efficiencies.

Panelists

  • Scott F Robohn – Consulting CTO, Carahsoft
  • Roy Chua – Principal, AvidThink
  • Random Access Memory (RAM) Mohan Hariprasad – Technical Product Marketing Manager, Aviz Networks

RAM Mohan Hariprasad opened by discussing the rapid evolution in networking, emphasizing the need for scalable networks in response to developments in Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and Data Processing Units (DPUs), along with the rising demands from Generative AI (GenAI). Adapting networking capabilities is essential as new compute hardware emerges, requiring changes at both hardware and operational levels. Roy Chua pointed out that technological advancements also necessitate operational flexibility and intelligence in infrastructure management.

Observability and AI Integration

Hariprasad mentioned that traditional observability frameworks are no longer adequate. Aviz is moving beyond the “click-ops” model by implementing large language models (LLMs) for improved real-time observability. This strategy enables users to interact with AI agents for contextual insights directly, minimizing the need for navigation through various dashboards. AI-driven systems aim to enhance the speed of insight retrieval, providing a unified view across different vendor environments.

Vendor Flexibility and Cost Management

The dialogue highlighted a collective interest among enterprises for flexibility in infrastructure options without incurring further costs. Organizations seek to adjust to new hardware and increased speeds while retaining operational efficiency. Aviz ONES provides a standardized operational layer, offering organizations the ability to choose upgrade paths suited to their needs, thereby preventing vendor lock-in and unanticipated expenses.

Standardization through SONiC

Robohn stated that the transition to open networking reflects the ongoing narrative of Linux, claiming that SONiC serves a similar purpose for switches as Linux does for servers. Hariprasad noted that SONiC offers a solid standard, enhanced by Aviz through observability and automation, connecting innovation with readiness for production. Chua added that the operational success of SONiC among hyperscalers supports its reliability for enterprise applications.

AI-Native Networking Future

The panel concluded by discussing the future of AI-native networking, characterized by the development of scalable, latency-aware infrastructures to support AI and Machine Learning (ML) workloads.

  • Networks built for AI must evolve to manage, troubleshoot, and optimize operations effectively.
  • The next phase involves standardizing data across diverse hardware and operating systems to enable robust network management via AI.

Aviz aims to implement a cohesive AI framework providing centralized intelligence in complex environments. As Hariprasad emphasized, the objective extends beyond speed; the focus lies on creating intelligent infrastructures that learn and adapt over time. The panelists analyzed trends and strategic directions in AI and network observability, illustrating how organizations can navigate the changing landscape effectively.

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