GenAI is here. Is your connectivity up to the task?
This blog has been expertly reviewed by Darren Hogan, Director of Portfolio at Nasstar.
It’s estimated that GenAI could enable automation of up to 70% of business activities between now and 2030. Increasing numbers of companies from all sectors are exploring how they can use this tech and uncover exactly what it can do for their business.
However, this could be a little premature. While your intentions and ambitions for GenAI might be well-meaning, can your connectivity keep up?
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in general are already having a significant impact on networks and data centres. And that’s before we even consider widespread generative AI use cases. This tech presents a new demand, with greater possibilities for invention and creativity in even the smallest of businesses.
The AI impact on networks
AI systems rely on large datasets for training and continuous learning. As these models grow and become more complex, so does the demand for high-speed data transfer. Network infrastructure needs to be significantly improved to keep up with this increase in demand.
Any business considering AI or GenAI in the near future will need to think about their connectivity, and there are two key things to consider: quality and availability.
Quality & Availability
In scenarios where real-time data is essential, such as in autonomous vehicles or predictive maintenance systems, robust connectivity ensures AI models receive up-to-the-minute information. This real-time data flow enables AI systems to make more accurate and timely decisions, enhancing their overall performance and the quality of output.
Data loss in these scenarios can lead to a lack of geolocation data or missing a critical leading indicator of an imminent failure in the system. To address this, high-speed connectivity can preserve the integrity and quality of the data. In addition, features in modern software defined networks such as packet duplication can reduce the risk of lost data.
Here’s a scenario: imagine you want to use GenAI architecture to store and process the textual transcript of potential candidate interviews for employment. You hope to identify people who are a good fit for your business and speed up the recruitment process.
Transcription services within common Unified Communications (UC) platforms typically happen in the cloud, but the spoken word has to be recorded at the source (end user, laptop, microphone etc). This is then sent to the cloud transcription service.
If your audio quality is degraded due to a problem with the underlying connectivity, then the transcription will fail, or at best, the quality of the transcription will be compromised. The translated words will be inaccurate and the output from an AI model may be suboptimal.
The quality of your connectivity also has a knock-on effect when it comes to availability, with a lack of quality often leading to a lack of availability. This is especially true if your business relies on any kind of real-time data processing. From computer vision models processing large high-quality images for facial recognition to machine learning algorithms analysing data to predict when a piece of industrial machinery may fail, loss of connectivity is a loss of precious data.
The solution: Intelligent Connected Cloud (ICC)
To support the increased use of GenAI architecture, as well as other advancements in technology and widespread use of public cloud services, Nasstar has developed a solution: Intelligent Connected Cloud (ICC).
Enabling the new wave of AI adoption, the solution comprises three key components: ICC Access, SD-WAN, and ICC Cloud Connect. When working together, these offerings improve the quality and availability of your connectivity fabric, ultimately enhancing the outcome of your generative AI initiative.
ICC Access is our last mile underlay connectivity into the Nasstar ICC infrastructure, delivering cost-effective, high-speed connectivity. Uniting your locations through one single, unified connectivity fabric is vital for improving availability and delivering successful generative AI initiatives.
SD-WAN is the overlay technology used to simplify and strengthen wide area network (WAN) connectivity. This provides site reliability, reporting and analytics which are all vital when running AI initiatives and measuring them for effectiveness.
ICC Cloud Connect enables you to privately connect to the public cloud without the usual complexities. The dedicated and centrally provisioned private connection between our ICC network and your chosen hyperscaler environment delivers a single, streamlined connection for reduced costs and time savings. Again, a vital connectivity factor when delivering on your generative AI ambitions.
Join the AI revolution
No matter what stage your organisation is at in its AI journey, you’ll likely be using GenAI at some point. And if you’re not, you’ll risk being left in the dust by others who are using this new tech to their advantage. Mitigate the risk of being last to the party by ensuring your underlying infrastructure is ready for the change.
