Cisco Shares Surge on AI Network Automation Bet; Automation Market to Reach $97B
CSCO•Cisco shares surged after the company unveiled a large-scale AI network automation initiative, driving investor optimism in its hardware and software integration roadmap. The software-defined automation market is projected to expand from $46.63 billion in 2025 to $96.98 billion by 2030 at a 15.7% CAGR, with Asia-Pacific leading growth.
1. Cisco AI Initiative and Stock Impact
Cisco disclosed a major AI-driven network automation strategy, integrating generative AI into its Catalyst switching portfolio and intent-based network controllers. The announcement triggered a sharp intraday rally as investors weighed the potential for higher recurring software revenue and enhanced network management capabilities.
2. Software-Defined Automation Market Outlook
The global software-defined automation market is forecast to grow from $46.63 billion in 2025 to $96.98 billion by 2030, a 15.7% compound annual growth rate. Key drivers include AI-powered process automation, cloud-based orchestration platforms and advanced manufacturing robotics, with North America currently leading adoption and Asia-Pacific posting the fastest growth.
