How AI and Machine Learning Will Influence the SD-WAN

From sales funnel acceleration to network management automation, artificial intelligence (AI) applications have rapidly emerged as key drivers of business advantage. Gartner ranked "AI and Advanced Machine Learning" as of one of its 10 strategic technology initiatives for 2017, citing a wide range of potential use cases including ones in autonomous vehicles, mesh devices and virtual assistants/advisors. AI in networking is key to a future of automation, since WAN connectivity will need to keep pace if all of these AI-enabled innovations are to reach their full potential. Consider the case of chatbots: These AI-powered programs made headlines when Facebook, among other tech titans, highlighted their utility in streamlining basic online activities such as customer support and ticket purchases. AI and machine learning in networking have become more useful as WAN requirements have evolved.