State of AI for Networking 2026: IT has Built Trust in AI—Now Execs Demand Results

AI is no longer a promise of the future—it’s here, embedded across the entire enterprise, and placing new demands on the network. As organizations move beyond experimentation and into large-scale AI adoption, IT leaders are being forced to rethink how their networks are built, managed, and secured.

That’s exactly what the State of AI for Networking 2026 report explores. Based on our second annual global survey of 200 C-level executives and VPs of IT, the research reveals a clear shift: AI is delivering real value today, but only when the network is ready to support it. Let’s explore some of the key insights and imperatives from the report.

92% say AI is straining network compute & bandwidth

AI workloads are already stretching networks beyond what they were designed to handle. In fact, 92% of IT leaders surveyed say AI has increased computing and bandwidth demands, pushing complex networks to their limits. At the same time, expectations are rising, not just for performance but for speed, reliability, and visibility across every environment. The pressure is prompting IT teams to ask a critical question: Can our network keep up with what AI requires?

74% define efficiency as AI success & 57% expect results in weeks

The promise of AI has always been about working smarter, but now leaders are demanding proof. Some 74% of respondents define AI success by improved operational efficiency, signaling just how much time and effort is still lost in manual processes, reactive troubleshooting, and fragmented tools.

And expectations are accelerating, with 57% of organizations expecting measurable AI impact within weeks—or even sooner, a dramatic jump from just 16% the year before. AI initiatives are expected to deliver fast, and the network plays a central role in making that possible.

93% trust AI-powered networking & 94% are ready to invest

Security remains paramount, and confidence is growing, as 93% of IT leaders say AI-powered networking helps reduce security risk, reinforcing that AI is no longer viewed as a liability, but as an essential part of a stronger security posture.

That trust is directly influencing investment decisions, as leaders are increasingly drawn to platforms that simplify operations. 94% say they are more likely to invest in AI when it’s natively built into the networking platform, highlighting the shift away from siloed tools towards unified, integrated approaches.

Networking has reached an AI inflection point

Together, these trends signal a clear turning point. AI isn’t just changing applications or workflows, it is reshaping what the network must be capable of. Complexity, inefficiency, and fragmentation are no longer sustainable when AI operates at the core of the business.

The implication is clear: organizations that modernize their networks to support AI will move faster, operate more securely, and extract greater value from every AI investment. Those that don’t risk turning AI ambition into operational drag.

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Want to see the full data behind these shifts and what IT leaders are prioritizing next? Download the State of AI for Networking 2026 report to explore the trends, benchmarks, and insights shaping the future of AI-powered networking.