Cisco Systems announced AI infrastructure advancements at NVIDIA’s GTC conference in Washington D.C., introducing an AI-native wireless stack for 6G and the N9100 data center switch. Global telecom cloud infrastructure spending is projected to grow from $17.4 billion in 2025 to $24.8 billion by 2030.
Cisco’s AI strategy involves “AI for Wireless” and “Wireless for AI.” “AI for Wireless” integrates artificial intelligence into network infrastructure for real-time sensing and optimization. “Wireless for AI” transforms mobile networks into distributed AI engines, enabling dynamic allocation of compute and spectrum resources. This architecture supports “physical AI” for devices like robots and autonomous vehicles requiring ultra-low latency.
The AI-WIN project, a collaboration including Cisco, NVIDIA, Booz Allen, MITRE, ODC, and T-Mobile, built an AI-native mobile network stack in six months. This system demonstrated the first user-to-user phone call over an AI-native network and multimodal integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) for public safety.
Masum Mir, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco Provider Mobility, stated, “Through this partnership, we are pioneering the future of intelligent, secure connectivity — where AI is infused into the fabric of mobile networks and services.” The AI-native stack integrates NVIDIA’s AI Aerial platform with Cisco’s 5G core software and user plane functions, providing simultaneous connectivity and AI processing.
The N9100 switch, equipped with NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet silicon, establishes Cisco as the first partner to offer an NVIDIA Cloud Partner-compliant reference architecture. The switch provides 51.2 Tbps of bandwidth and allows customers to choose between Cisco NX-OS or SONiC operating systems. Cisco shares have risen 22% year-to-date, recently reaching a 52-week high of $72.68. AI infrastructure orders contributed $2 billion in fiscal 2025.
McKinsey estimates AI-driven telecom services could generate over $150 billion in annual savings by 2030. With 65% of telecom companies planning increased AI infrastructure budgets in 2025, Cisco’s AI networking portfolio is positioned to capitalize on this investment.
