Q & A
EDITOR ’ S
WALID ISSA , SENIOR MANAGER , PRESALES AND SOLUTIONS ENGINEERING , MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA , NETAPP
Generative AI presents significant opportunities and challenges for channel partners . With enterprises across industries increasingly leveraging Generative AI to drive innovation , improve decision-making , and enhance customer experiences , channel partners can play a pivotal role to play in enabling these transformations . Generative AI offers partners a unique opportunity to expand their value proposition by evolving from solution providers to strategic advisors . By helping customers integrate Generative AI into their workflows , partners can unlock new revenue streams . For example , NetApp ’ s data management solutions are instrumental in addressing the data challenges Generative AI brings , such as ensuring high-quality data availability , security , and compliance .
Generative AI adoption also poses challenges . The resource-intensive nature of Generative AI workloads demands robust infrastructure and efficient data management solutions . Partners must navigate issues like ensuring data privacy ,
As the adoption of Generative AI accelerates , channel partners find themselves at the intersection of unprecedented opportunities and evolving challenges . AI-driven solutions have the potential to transform business operations by enhancing efficiency , improving decisionmaking and automating complex processes . But success depends on adopting AI responsibly , with security and governance as core pillars .
Generative AI can streamline IT operations , improve customer engagement and automate security workflows . Channel partners can help businesses harness AIpowered cybersecurity solutions , such as Check Point ’ s Infinity AI Copilot , to proactively detect , mitigate and respond to AI-driven
managing costs , and addressing ethical concerns related to AI bias . Partners who can align with industry leaders like NetApp to deliver hybrid cloud solutions tailored for AI workloads will be better positioned to address these challenges .
Whether channel partners should rebuild their business models around Generative AI depends on their current capabilities , customers , and market focus . While it may not require a complete overhaul , adapting strategies to incorporate Generative AIdriven offerings is essential .
To succeed , channel partners must develop skills in AI model integration , data engineering , and advanced analytics . A deep understanding of data governance and compliance is also critical , as organisations increasingly demand solutions that
PRASHANT MENON , CHANNEL LEADER UAE , CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES
threats . By embedding AI into security operations , partners can reduce cyber risk while enhancing business efficiency .
However , AI adoption also introduces risks , data privacy concerns , compliance complexities and AI-driven cyber threats , such as deepfake social engineering and AIgenerated malware .
Rather than a complete overhaul , now is the time for partners to evolve , by integrating AI-driven tools into their service offerings . This includes automated policy management , AI-powered threat intelligence and security automation platforms that improve cyber resilience while cutting operational costs . AI is not a replacement for cybersecurity expertise , instead , it should be leveraged to augment human decisionmaking and accelerate incident response .
Generative AI is an evolution , not a revolution . By strategically integrating AI-driven cybersecurity solutions , addressing emerging risks and guiding clients through responsible AI adoption , channel partners can solidify their role as indispensable security advisors . Now is the time to lead the way in secure , AI-powered digital transformation .
meet stringent regulatory requirements . Additionally , investing in training for crossfunctional teams to bridge the gap between IT and business objectives is key .
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