Cisco exec: AI is reviving on-prem data centers and deep-tech hiring

Cisco SVP and chief strategy officer Ammar Maraqa says AI workloads have reversed data center consolidation, pushing enterprises to expand on-prem infrastructure. US data center job postings more than doubled in two years, from 2 to 6 per 1,000 listings, even as overall postings fell about 12%.

• Data center job postings rose from 2 to 6 per 1,000 US listings in two years
• Overall US job postings fell roughly 12% over the same period
• An AI agent puts 4.5x the network load of a human per task
• Demand grows for hardware, networking and security 'deep-tech' skills