Cisco Launches Unified Edge to Power the Next Era of AI at the Edge

Cisco  announced the launch of Cisco Unified Edge; an integrated computing platform designed for distributed AI workloads. From retail stores and healthcare facilities to factory floors, Cisco Unified Edge unifies computer, networking, storage, and security closer to where data is created — enabling real-time AI inferencing and agentic workloads.

The company says this new approach is key to turning AI’s potential into reality by providing the foundational infrastructure required to support both traditional and AI-intensive operations.

More than half of current AI pilots are reportedly stalling due to infrastructure limitations, underlining the urgency for a new decentralized network model. With 75 percent of enterprise data expected to be created and processed at the edge this year, Cisco positions Unified Edge as a cornerstone of that transformation.

“Today’s infrastructure can’t meet the demands of powering AI at scale. 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. That’s where compute needs to live. With our Unified Edge we’re making it easier to power AI in the real world with flexible, secure systems that are simple to deploy, operate, and scale as demand grows.”

–  Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer, Cisco

Reimagining Computing for Agentic AI

Cisco Unified Edge is built to enable real-time inferencing and agentic AI workloads from the edge to the core, helping enterprises confidently deploy and manage AI at scale. The system is modular, allowing organizations to expand without the cost and disruption of full infrastructure overhauls.

Key features include:

Performance and Modularity: A full-stack, converged architecture that combines compute, storage, and networking in a single platform with flexible CPU/GPU configurations and redundant systems for reliability.

Operational Simplicity: Zero-touch deployment and centralized management through Cisco Intersight, with integrations like Splunk and ThousandEyes to provide full observability.

Built-in Security: Multi-layered, zero-trust security with tamper-proof design, deep telemetry, and compliance-ready audit trails to secure AI operations from both physical and cyber threats.

Unlocking Breakthrough Outcomes Across Industries

Cisco says it has co-designed the Unified Edge platform with customers in retail, manufacturing, finance, and healthcare, addressing real-world operational constraints while supporting both current and emerging AI workloads. The system enables real-time decision-making where it matters most — from the factory floor to the bank branch.

Partners at the Core of AI Success

Cisco emphasized that the success of AI will depend on open collaboration across industries. The company is working with its extensive ecosystem of technology, ISV, managed services, and reseller partners to deliver integrated, flexible solutions that simplify AI adoption.

Availability

Cisco Unified Edge platforms are orderable now and expected to be generally available by the end of the year.

“The Intel-Cisco collaboration for Unified Edge represents a fundamental shift in how we think about distributed computing. By combining our silicon innovation with Cisco’s networking and compute expertise, we’re not just connecting edge locations – we’re extending the full power of the data center to wherever data needs to be processed. The Intel Xeon 6 SoC provides a flexible, efficient foundation that edge systems need for high throughput, low latency workloads, while Cisco’s modular compute design and unified operations model make managing AI workloads easier and more secure.”

– Cristina Rodriguez, Vice President and General Manager, Intel’s Network & Edge Group

“The importance of the Edge is more apparent now than ever before. Early adoption of AI at the Edge delivers a competitive advantage that can transform entire industries. Sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option. With the rapid pace of AI and technological advancement, the future remains unpredictable. Building flexibility into a future-proof Edge platform is essential. Verizon and Cisco share a common vision for innovation, and we approach this goal with a focus on simplicity, reliability, and consistency.”

— Lee Field, Vice President of US Solution Architecture, Verizon

“To maximize AI’s productivity benefits in a manufacturing environment, connecting islands of automation is critical. Connecting multiple lines in a plant and then connecting multiple plants can generate petabytes of data. Some applications make sense to go back to the data center; that will continue to happen. But other decisions need to be made in real time at the edge—especially on a manufacturing floor. Edge computing requires an integrated platform approach where the compute, the networking, and of course, the security all come together. Performant, secure networking at the edge is absolutely essential.”

– Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO, Rockwell Automation

“As AI and data processing shift from centralized data centers to the on-premises edge, our customers will need solutions that deliver both agility and security right at the source. With Cisco Unified Edge we can seamlessly extend powerful secure cloud and AI infrastructure to wherever data is generated, empowering customers and their models to inference at the edge to make decisions faster than ever before. Offering this solution not only strengthens our customer relationships but also positions us at the forefront of future-ready technology adoption.”

–  Brian Ortbals, SVP of Global Solutions and Architecture, World Wide Technology

“The true power of AI will be unlocked when we can move the inferencing and analysis closer to where the data originates, making the edge the new frontier for the next wave of AI. Agentic and Physical AI will require compute at the edge to handle the substantial increase in network traffic and real-time analysis. Cisco Unified Edge simplifies adoption and operations for those enterprises that have struggled with how to implement AI to deliver true business impact.”

–  Bob Laliberte, Principal Analyst, CUBE Research