- They said I couldn't find a high-quality multitool for under $30 - but this one's a winner
- I compared the viral $50 earplugs with my $300 sleep earbuds - here are the results
- This Android phone that doubles as a projector will make any tech enthusiast smile
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. OnePlus 13: I compared the best Android phones, and it was very close
- I replaced my $3,500 Sony camera with 200MP Android phone - and it's spoiled me big time
A month later: The lasting impact of Cisco Live
Attending Cisco Live Amsterdam is always an exhilarating experience! This event serves as a vital platform for connecting with industry partners, customers, and colleagues in an environment that fosters learning, networking, and innovation.
This year in Amsterdam, the excitement was palpable, from engaging keynote speeches to innovative product announcements and captivating discussions with special guests. If you missed it, many sessions are now available on-demand, including sessions on key trending topics:
Key announcements and standout moments
The event emphasized Cisco’s vision, showcasing groundbreaking innovations designed to help businesses build AI-ready data centers, ensure workplace resilience, and prioritize digital security. The leadership shared insights on how Cisco’s innovations are shaping the digital landscape, providing solutions that simplify operations, enhance security, and enable AI adoption.
Naturally, AI and automation were key topics, with discussions on implementing AI strategies to achieve business goals. I had insightful conversations about infrastructure transformation and AI’s role in achieving business objectives, reinforcing the importance of strategic AI integration. We also announced Cisco Customer Experience’s latest AI innovation, the new AI agent, built in partnership with Mistral. CX continues to demonstrate how Cisco is delivering against its vision of using AI to make every customer experience personalized, proactive, and predictive, delivering unique outcomes that exceed customers’ expectations.
In more exciting news, Cisco announced it is enhancing its offerings in AI skilling by launching its newest AI Skills Journey program to build critical AI Infrastructure skills from entry to expert. As part of this effort, Cisco Learning & Certifications has updated current certifications, including Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), and Internetwork Expert (CCIE). These updated certifications reflect the AI and cybersecurity skills needed to achieve impactful business outcomes. That was also a recurring theme in a CCIE session I was proud to co-host during Cisco Live.
The Technical Solutions Clinic, demos and hands-on labs were, once again, an event highlight.
These were supported by Technical Assistance Center (TAC) employees, a team that has incredible depth of talent and expertise.
One example of impressive innovation shown was immersion cooling technology for data centers. This allows data centers to stack more powerful servers in a smaller footprint without the risk of overheating, a crucial consideration for data center efficiency and sustainability.
If you want to know more about what the TAC zone was like, read Aleksandra Furgala’s write-up.
More than just a technology show
While the technology shown here is always impressive, Cisco Live is about more than just innovation. It’s also about building real connections and celebrating the people and values that power our technology.
This year’s event featured insightful conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). I had the pleasure of participating in discussions emphasizing DEI as a business differentiator, positively impacting internal culture and customer relations. As a long-time advocate for the value of inclusion in the workplace, it was inspiring to see how many remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment in the tech industry.
As the week wrapped up, we celebrated at the CX Rock Legend Lounge, reflecting on a week filled with learning and collaboration. Cisco Live EMEA 2025 truly demonstrated the power of technology and innovation.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended. I look forward to seeing you all next year!
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