The IDC report, titled “Enterprise Horizons 2025: Technology Leaders Priorities: Achieving Digital Agility,” underscores that limitations in current network infrastructure pose significant challenges to realising AI's transformative potential.
Commissioned by Expereo, the findings from the survey, which included 650 technology leaders across Europe, the US, and APAC, reveal that networking and connectivity have become the foremost technology priority for APAC organisations. Notably, 43% of respondents plan to increase their investment in networking over the next year.
This shift indicates a growing recognition among companies that robust and flexible connectivity is essential for successful AI implementation. As businesses strive to harness AI's capabilities, they are beginning to understand that inadequate network infrastructure can severely impede their progress.
However, the report presents a stark reality: 94% of companies surveyed indicate that their networks limit their ability to execute large data and AI projects. This statistic reveals a significant gap between the ambitious AI goals of APAC organisations and the limitations of their existing network capabilities.
Many companies find that their current networks lack the agility, capacity, and performance necessary to support the intensive demands imposed by AI workloads. This bottleneck can lead to lost productivity, increased costs, and missed business opportunities.
"This prioritisation of networking reflects a critical shift in perspective. APAC businesses understand that AI success depends on the ability to move data, connect systems, and deliver applications with speed and reliability," comments Eric Wong, Expereo's president for Asia Pacific.
He emphasises that with 90% of companies viewing their networks as limiting factors, there is an urgent need for more dynamic and agile solutions that can adapt to the evolving demands of AI.
The IDC InfoBrief also highlights additional key insights:
- Financial losses from network issues: Half of the surveyed companies report experiencing financial losses due to unreliable and outdated networks. In an AI-centric environment, where applications often play critical roles, network downtime can result in significant revenue loss and damage to reputation.
- Outsourcing network improvements: As networks become increasingly complex and skilled talent becomes harder to find, many APAC organisations are turning to managed service providers for expertise and support. This trend underscores the importance of collaboration in navigating the complexities of network transformation.
- Sustainability and connectivity: APAC's focus on sustainable development presents both challenges and opportunities. By modernising network infrastructure, businesses can enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support environmentally responsible practices, thereby maintaining a competitive edge.
As APAC positions itself to lead in the AI-driven economy, addressing the limitations of current network infrastructures will be crucial.
