As synthetic intelligence (AI) strikes from the lab to the enterprise, a vital actuality is rising: the infrastructure that powers it’s essentially totally different. AI and machine studying (ML) workloads are usually not like conventional functions.
They demand:
- Immense computational energy:Â Delivered by specialised accelerators like GPUs that may course of parallel computations at a scale far past commonplace CPUs.
- Extremely-fast, low-latency networking:Â Required to attach giant clusters of accelerators for distributed coaching, the place any community bottleneck can carry a multi-million greenback AI funding to a standstill.
- Subtle orchestration:Â Wanted to handle and schedule complicated jobs throughout a pool of specialised {hardware}, making certain most utilization and effectivity.
This has created an unprecedented demand for technical professionals who can design, deploy, and handle these extremely specialised knowledge middle environments. To satisfy this demand, Cisco has launched a brand new AI certification designed to validate the abilities wanted to excel within the age of AI. For architects and engineers constructing this vital spine, the Implementing Cisco Information Middle AI Infrastructure (DCAI) certification is your path to turning into an indispensable knowledgeable.
Let’s discover what the DCAI certification entails and the way it can speed up your profession.
What’s the DCAI certification?
The Implementing Cisco Information Middle AI Infrastructure (DCAI) certification is designed for the technical infrastructure neighborhood; IT and community engineers, options architects, and technical leads who’re on the entrance strains of the AI revolution. It focuses on the vital abilities wanted to construct, deploy, and function the sturdy, scalable infrastructure that underpins AI options.
To prep for the certification examination, it’s best to full these two Studying Paths:
These Studying Paths present the structured information and hands-on experience required to go the DCAI certification examination.
What core abilities will you acquire?
If you full the above two Studying Paths, you’ll achieve deep, sensible experience in probably the most in-demand areas of AI infrastructure.
You’ll study to:
- Design AI/ML compute clusters and optimize fashions:Â Study the elements and use instances of AI/ML compute clusters, develop and optimize customized AI fashions, and fine-tune pre-trained fashions for optimum efficiency and effectivity.
- Implement high-performance networks for AI/ML: Determine the important thing traits of high-performance networks for AI workloads—together with bandwidth, latency, and resiliency—and keep visibility utilizing superior instruments resembling Cisco Nexus Dashboard Insights.
- Grasp AI {hardware} and compute assets: Assessment important AI/ML {hardware} (CPUs, GPUs, DPUs, SmartNICs, Cisco UCS), perceive GPU sharing applied sciences like MIG and vGPU, and discover compute options resembling HCI and specialised AI orchestration platforms like Run:ai.
- Develop multicloud and workload mobility methods: Implement workload mobility, consider efficient multicloud methods for AI, and mitigate the dangers of vendor lock-in.
- Combine Inexperienced AI and price optimization:Â Perceive Inexperienced AI ideas, optimize prices throughout the whole AI lifecycle, and leverage AI accelerators (GPUs, TPUs, DPUs) alongside environment friendly energy and cooling methods.
- Apply AIOps ideas for operational excellence: superior incident detection, predictive analytics, root-cause evaluation, and automation to make sure steady enchancment in AI operations.

Are you able to develop into an AI infrastructure knowledgeable?
The brand new DCAI certification represents Cisco’s dedication to empowering the engineers and designers who’re constructing our AI-driven future. That is your alternative to maneuver past concept and achieve the hands-on abilities to steer on this thrilling discipline.
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Prepare for DCAI certification
Testing for the 300-640 DCAI certification examination begins February 9, 2026.
Obtain examination subjects
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