AI-native networking is revolutionizing how enterprises and service providers manage their infrastructure, enabling them to prioritize core business objectives by automating complex network operations.

Integrating artificial intelligence into network management promises to streamline processes, enhance efficiency and minimize disruptions. For example, the advancements in AI-native networking underscore AI’s potential to optimize network performance and resource utilization, according to Neil McRae (pictured), chief network strategist at Juniper Networks Inc.

Juniper’s Neil McRae talks with theCUBE about AI-driven network automation, operational efficiency and the future of network modernization.

“What [network performance optimization] allows our customers to do is to focus on their business, not focus on running a network, not focus on dealing with network issues. Marvis, our AI agent, takes care of all of the network[s] for them,” McRae said.

McRae spoke with theCUBE’s Dave Vellante and Savannah Peterson at MWC25, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed AI-driven network automation, operational efficiency and the future of network modernization. (* Disclosure below.)

AI-native networking: Optimizing network paths

AI-native networking represents a significant leap forward in network technology, enabling networks to dynamically adapt and optimize traffic flow, according to McRae. Networks are increasingly complex, and AI offers the capability to analyze vast amounts of data to determine the most efficient and effective routing paths.

“The data model is all the routing information. It’s already in the network today, but typically, it’s been hidden away from service providers,” McRae said. “We’re exposing that data and allowing the routing protocols to take AI to either the best path on an experience point of view or taking the best path that’s actually the most energy efficient. Trying to do that manually when you have a network of thousands of developers in it is impossible; this is where the AI really brings in its capability and allows us to benefit the service providers.”

Automating network housekeeping tasks is another critical benefit of AI-native networking. This automation ensures that routine maintenance and configurations are consistently performed, reducing the likelihood of human error, according to McRae.

“Most network issues actually happen when operators forget to do something, and we’re human; we forget stuff,” he said. “The AI takes that away from you, and it automates the initial configuration, the setup, the policies — everything that a service provider needs to run the network well and also do that on a continuous and sustainable basis.”

AI-driven operational efficiency and network modernization

The application of AI extends beyond routing to encompass a wide range of operational tasks and contributes to broader network modernization efforts. This is extremely valuable in software-defined wide-area network environments, where AI allows for rapid identification and resolution of network issues, minimizing downtime and business disruptions, according to McRae.

“One of the biggest benefits I hear from customers is, ‘We’re able to pinpoint the issue within seconds,’” he said. “Historically, that could take hours. You might have to coordinate with multiple providers or multiple service agents, and you’ve got multiple stakeholders. They just want to know what is it and when’s it going to be fixed. Using Marvis and Paragon, our AI tools zero in on that [and] takes so much pain out of service providers’ day-to-day operations, but also allows them to reduce costs on things like service-level payments where you’ve had an outage.”

Modernizing networks to meet the demands of today’s digital landscape involves a multifaceted approach, encompassing not only AI-driven operational efficiency, but also a focus on monetization, security, sustainability and automation. Service providers are increasingly adopting network-as-a-service models, enabling them to build on-demand networks for their customers, according to McRae.

“You can’t do any of those pillars without that,” he said, adding that AI is crucial in achieving these goals, particularly in enhancing sustainability. “With our WAN-enabled AI and … some of the other tools that we’ve got, not only can we reduce the energy, but we can actually display it.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of MWC25: 

(* Disclosure: Juniper Networks Inc. sponsored this segment of theCUBE. Neither Juniper nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE