Learning at Scale: How AI Skills and Purpose Are Shaping the Future of Work
If strategy defines the path forward, learning is what sustains progress over time. It is one of the most visible points where Cisco’s Purpose aligns with its business goals. Preparing people to thrive in a digital and AI-driven economy is critical for lasting growth, enduring trust, and shared success. When individuals have the skills to adapt, organizations can move more quickly, respond with resilience, and achieve stronger results.
Inside Cisco, we have deliberately focused on building our own capabilities. In fiscal year 2025, more than 37,000 employees completed AI-related learning programs—a 76% increase year over year—enhancing our capacity to innovate, reimagine work, and deliver meaningful value to customers. As the nature of work continues to change, learning has emerged as one of the most effective ways leaders enable the future and sustain momentum. At Cisco, employees are twice as likely to adopt AI tools when their managers actively use them, and those who consistently use AI report higher productivity and engagement.
Our commitment to learning extends far beyond our internal workforce. Through Cisco Networking Academy, over 28 million learners have gained the skills needed to participate in the digital economy. Additionally, through Learn with Cisco, we are supporting the White House’s Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education by committing to train one million people across the United States.
In December, IDC MarketScape named Cisco a Leader in IT Training Services in both Europe and North America. We view this recognition not as a conclusion, but as motivation to accelerate—expanding the confidence and capabilities we are developing within Cisco to partners, customers, and communities worldwide.
Millions of Stories: The Power of Learning
A recent experience underscored the real impact of education. During a conversation with Equity Bank in Kenya about its learning initiatives for underserved youth, we discovered that one of our Cisco colleagues participating in the meeting was herself a graduate of the program. She shared how access to education through the bank transformed her life. As I described how Cisco Networking Academy delivers digital skills at scale, a senior bank leader added that he had earned his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) credential through the program—an achievement that launched his career and ultimately led him to his current executive role.
In an organization as global as Cisco, we don’t always hear the individual stories behind our work. But when we do, they bring our impact into sharp focus. In the past fiscal year alone, more than five million learners engaged with Cisco Networking Academy, representing millions of personal journeys unfolding across the globe. Each story reinforces why our work matters—opening doors and enabling people to participate more fully in the future.
Learning Through Partnership
Another way we continue to grow and stay connected to the broader industry is through our leadership of the AI Workforce Consortium. This group includes Cisco alongside Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP. Together, we are examining how AI is transforming more than 50 essential technology and support roles across G7 nations, while also creating practical pathways to help people prepare for what lies ahead.
The Consortium’s 2025 research reveals that 78% of jobs already require AI skills. At the same time, it highlights that human capabilities—such as leadership, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication—will ultimately determine AI’s real impact.
That research also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning. Notably, Learning & Development Specialist has become the most in-demand technology support role in the U.S. and Canada, signaling how strongly organizations are prioritizing adaptability in an AI-driven world. At Cisco, we are responding by investing in new learning roles and enterprise-wide initiatives that help our people build the skills needed to move confidently into the future.
Permission to Rethink Everything
Moments like the one I experienced in Kenya linger because they clarify what truly matters. They remind us that we are in an extraordinary period—one that gives us permission to question long-held assumptions. How should we allocate our resources? Which innovations should we pursue? And what kind of human experience do we want to create?
Cisco enters this moment from a position of strength, built on trusted technology, the dedication of our people, and a clear sense of Purpose. With that strength comes responsibility—the responsibility to pause, reflect, and ask the right questions about how we move forward together.
As industry leaders, how do we help shape markets that expand opportunity and set the bar for secure, trusted, and inclusive innovation?
As people leaders, how do we demonstrate learning in action—using AI ourselves and fostering cultures driven by curiosity, courage, and care?
And as individuals, how do we continue to adapt, unlearn, and reskill, recognizing that our shared success depends on personal growth?
These questions are not abstract for us. In fiscal 2025, we answered them with tangible commitments:
Inside Cisco, we have deliberately focused on building our own capabilities. In fiscal year 2025, more than 37,000 employees completed AI-related learning programs—a 76% increase year over year—enhancing our capacity to innovate, reimagine work, and deliver meaningful value to customers. As the nature of work continues to change, learning has emerged as one of the most effective ways leaders enable the future and sustain momentum. At Cisco, employees are twice as likely to adopt AI tools when their managers actively use them, and those who consistently use AI report higher productivity and engagement.
Our commitment to learning extends far beyond our internal workforce. Through Cisco Networking Academy, over 28 million learners have gained the skills needed to participate in the digital economy. Additionally, through Learn with Cisco, we are supporting the White House’s Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education by committing to train one million people across the United States.
In December, IDC MarketScape named Cisco a Leader in IT Training Services in both Europe and North America. We view this recognition not as a conclusion, but as motivation to accelerate—expanding the confidence and capabilities we are developing within Cisco to partners, customers, and communities worldwide.
Millions of Stories: The Power of Learning
A recent experience underscored the real impact of education. During a conversation with Equity Bank in Kenya about its learning initiatives for underserved youth, we discovered that one of our Cisco colleagues participating in the meeting was herself a graduate of the program. She shared how access to education through the bank transformed her life. As I described how Cisco Networking Academy delivers digital skills at scale, a senior bank leader added that he had earned his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) credential through the program—an achievement that launched his career and ultimately led him to his current executive role.
In an organization as global as Cisco, we don’t always hear the individual stories behind our work. But when we do, they bring our impact into sharp focus. In the past fiscal year alone, more than five million learners engaged with Cisco Networking Academy, representing millions of personal journeys unfolding across the globe. Each story reinforces why our work matters—opening doors and enabling people to participate more fully in the future.
Learning Through Partnership
Another way we continue to grow and stay connected to the broader industry is through our leadership of the AI Workforce Consortium. This group includes Cisco alongside Accenture, Cornerstone, Eightfold AI, Google, IBM, Indeed, Intel, Microsoft, and SAP. Together, we are examining how AI is transforming more than 50 essential technology and support roles across G7 nations, while also creating practical pathways to help people prepare for what lies ahead.
The Consortium’s 2025 research reveals that 78% of jobs already require AI skills. At the same time, it highlights that human capabilities—such as leadership, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and communication—will ultimately determine AI’s real impact.
That research also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning. Notably, Learning & Development Specialist has become the most in-demand technology support role in the U.S. and Canada, signaling how strongly organizations are prioritizing adaptability in an AI-driven world. At Cisco, we are responding by investing in new learning roles and enterprise-wide initiatives that help our people build the skills needed to move confidently into the future.
Permission to Rethink Everything
Moments like the one I experienced in Kenya linger because they clarify what truly matters. They remind us that we are in an extraordinary period—one that gives us permission to question long-held assumptions. How should we allocate our resources? Which innovations should we pursue? And what kind of human experience do we want to create?
Cisco enters this moment from a position of strength, built on trusted technology, the dedication of our people, and a clear sense of Purpose. With that strength comes responsibility—the responsibility to pause, reflect, and ask the right questions about how we move forward together.
As industry leaders, how do we help shape markets that expand opportunity and set the bar for secure, trusted, and inclusive innovation?
As people leaders, how do we demonstrate learning in action—using AI ourselves and fostering cultures driven by curiosity, courage, and care?
And as individuals, how do we continue to adapt, unlearn, and reskill, recognizing that our shared success depends on personal growth?
These questions are not abstract for us. In fiscal 2025, we answered them with tangible commitments:
- 573,000 employee volunteer hours and a sixth consecutive year exceeding our 80% community impact goal
- 31 crisis response initiatives supported by more than 900 employee volunteers
- 100% renewable energy matching global annual electricity needs across Cisco-owned and leased facilities
- 154 million lives positively impacted through the Cisco Foundation and Social Impact Investments
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