By Kavita Mistry 
Cisco Systems (CSCO.O) has unveiled a new computing device called the “Cisco Unified Edge,” designed to run artificial intelligence (AI) workloads directly at local sites such as retail outlets, factory floors, and healthcare facilities. The move aims to accelerate data processing and decision-making by bringing AI capabilities closer to where data is generated, reducing dependence on centralized cloud infrastructure.
Cisco Targets Edge-AI Growth with Unified Edge Platform for Faster Localized Processing
With AI applications becoming increasingly complex—especially with the rise of agentic and reasoning models—traditional data centers are facing heavy network traffic and processing bottlenecks. Cisco’s Unified Edge platform seeks to address this by enabling faster, localized AI computation. This approach allows businesses to analyze and act on data in real time, enhancing operational efficiency in environments like smart manufacturing, automated retail, and connected healthcare systems.
The new platform, powered by an Intel (INTC.O) chip, has already attracted early adopters, including Verizon (VZ.N), and is expected to be made widely available by the end of the year. Cisco’s entry into the edge-AI market marks a strategic expansion of its enterprise technology offerings, aligning with its long-term vision to integrate networking, security, and AI capabilities into a unified infrastructure.
Cisco Champions Edge Computing as the Future of AI-Driven Business Operations
Industry experts note that global tech firms are investing tens of billions of dollars to scale up data centers and AI infrastructure. However, edge computing—processing data closer to its source—is emerging as a critical complement to centralized models. Cisco’s Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel emphasized this trend, saying, “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.”
By merging AI and edge technologies, Cisco aims to empower enterprises with faster, more secure, and cost-efficient AI operations, setting a new benchmark for distributed intelligence in business environments.
Summary:
Cisco Systems has launched the “Cisco Unified Edge,” an AI computing platform designed to process data locally at retail, factory, and healthcare sites. Powered by Intel chips and adopted by Verizon, it enhances speed, efficiency, and security while promoting edge computing as a vital complement to centralized AI infrastructure.