AI boom boosts network demands in Irish education
Irish educational institutions are facing unprecedented challenges as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms the learning landscape, creating new demands on network infrastructure that require innovative solutions, according to Sean Nolan, business development manager for public sector at Agile Networks.
Speaking about the evolving educational technology landscape, Nolan draws parallels between today's AI revolution and the historical impact of pocket calculators on mathematics education: 'There was a time when the calculator became pocket-sized, and this transformed how maths education worked. Maths changed from arithmetic to theoretical maths. I think AI will have a similar effect on education.'
The transformation is already evident across Ireland's educational spectrum, from primary schools to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and third-level institutions. Nolan said that Agile's client base spanned 'everything from primary and secondary school to ETBs, and we have a significant presence in third-level education'.
At the primary level, the immediate impact is relatively straightforward. 'It's just more traffic, it's just web traffic,' Nolan said. However, the implications become more complex as students progress through the system. ETBs face particular pressures to deliver experiences comparable to third-level education for their students.
However, the most significant challenges lie within Ireland's universities, where the stakes are highest.
'Universities have a real challenge. What I think is going to happen is access to AI is going to become a tool that universities can use to attract research, contracts and students.'
This competitive advantage comes with substantial infrastructure requirements. Universities must invest in both network capabilities and computing power, and not just powerful PCs with Nvidia GPUs. The expectation is clear: 'I think there will be an expectation on universities to build out AI infrastructure.'
The infrastructure demands are multifaceted, requiring what Nolan describes as 'AI in a box' – essentially data centre-level equipment housed in racks.
Juniper Mist is an AI for your network
'You need security, and the basic pillars are network, storage, compute and GPUs,' he explains. These systems require different setup approaches, with AI performance measured in time rather than traditional metrics, as 'the learning can take days, even weeks or months, depending on how complex the ask is'.
Without proper institutional investment, universities risk losing talent to better-equipped competitors. Thus, universities should be able to guarantee researchers access to proper systems, positioning themselves as attractive destinations for 'student or potential research candidates who may choose based on which one can offer them the best tools to assist their research and learning.' The transition isn't without challenges. University IT departments, already stressed and maxed-out dealing with day-to-day IT infrastructure, must now navigate additional complexity.
There's also the question of shared versus dedicated resources, as 'there will be a cohort of researchers who wouldn't want to touch a shared infrastructure', Nolan said.
This is where solutions like Juniper Mist become crucial. 'Juniper Mist is an AI for your network: it's monitoring your network, monitoring everything, every single piece of telemetry between the client and the internet,' Nolan said.
This AI-driven network management becomes essential as educational institutions handle increasingly complex and demanding digital environments.
The human element cannot be overlooked. Drawing from his own experience in the early days of the web when he learned HTML and the Mosaic browser, Nolan marvels at today's digital natives: 'Can you imagine those 18-year-olds going into college now with access to AI bots? The kids have no fear of it.'
This fearless approach to technology amongst students creates both opportunities and pressures for educational institutions. They must not only provide the infrastructure to support AI-enhanced learning, but also ensure they're prepared for a generation that expects seamless integration of artificial intelligence into their educational experience.
As Irish educational institutions navigate this transformation, the message is clear: investment in robust, AI-capable network infrastructure isn't just about keeping up with technology – it's about remaining competitive in attracting the best students, researchers, and opportunities in an increasingly AI-driven world.
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