Total Network Operations TNO054: AI Skills for CCIEs
Jan 30, 2026
Jason Belk, senior technical advocate who links learning to operator workflows; Kareem Iskander, principal engineer focused on DevNet and upskilling; Joe Clark, distinguished engineer and long-time CCIE with deep programmability experience. They discuss AI for NetOps, skills to add like prompt basics and AI safety, how certifications are shifting, agent platforms and network-tailored models, and impacts on troubleshooting and roles.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Lead With Responsibility
- Lead with responsibility and critical thinking when adopting AI tools in NetOps.
- Validate AI outputs and keep humans accountable for final decisions.
AI Learning Is Broad And Fast
- AI learning is broad and fast-moving, making it one of the hardest topics to master now.
- Clear learning paths and topic lists help learners focus amid the overwhelming scope.
Core Skills Amplify AI Value
- Core networking skills become more important as AI can mislead without domain knowledge.
- Use your expertise to vet AI outputs instead of relying on them blindly.