The Mission

In a universe where AI represents the next great frontier, IT leaders have become modern-day astronomers, staring into the vast unknown, seeking to map constellations of data and chart a course through the cosmos of artificial intelligence. But with 85% of organizations under pressure to deploy an AI strategy within 18 months, their greatest challenge isn’t curiosity, it’s infrastructure. 

Cisco set out to provide a guiding star. At Cisco Live Amsterdam 2025, they launched the AI Observatory, a command center for AI exploration, designed to illuminate the path forward for enterprises seeking to harness AI’s full potential. 

The Challenge

Just as space exploration requires sophisticated launch systems, AI adoption demands a robust technology foundation. Yet, Cisco’s AI Readiness Index revealed the stark reality that while organizations recognize AI’s transformative power, most lack the infrastructure to deploy it effectively. Technical teams find themselves navigating an uncharted galaxy of unstructured data, struggling to extract insights and apply AI in meaningful ways. 

How could Cisco communicate how they can help IT professionals to find opportunity in the AI era? 

The Vision

Just as we learn about life by peering into the universe, Cisco envisioned an observatory that would serve as a telescope zooming into the AI universe, turning abstract data into actionable intelligence. More than just an activation, this would be a command center for AI exploration, where visitors could engage with experience industry-specific AI use cases, and observe the way Cisco’s technology serves as the infrastructure for this bold new era.

The Experience

To bring this vision to life, Cisco introduced the AI Observatory, a surrounding experience that transformed the concept of data into a celestial wonder. GPJ, in partnership with No Hot Ashes, designed a circular, 360-degree environment, where LED walls displayed a real-time, generative ‘data universe’, visualizing the 25 million data endpoints passing through networks daily as celestial bodies in a digital galaxy. 

Interactive telescopes allowed participants to navigate and make sense of the data, uncovering industry use cases and discovering how Cisco’s AI could extract meaning from data clusters. To further immerse visitors, AI demos showcased actionable solutions and a theatre component provided deep-dive sessions, drawing them into AI’s vast potential and encouraging them to explore its possibilities across the activation. 

The (Stellar) Response

The AI Observatory became a beacon at Cisco Live Amsterdam 2025, guiding IT leaders through the vast potential of AI. The gravitational pull of the experience was obvious: 

• 1,486 engagement sessions recorded 
• 86.9% of participants rated their experience as “good” or higher 
• 89.9% agreed the experience enhanced their understanding of Cisco’s AI solutions 
• 89.3% indicated they were likely to partner with Cisco on AI initiatives 
• Average session length: 3 minutes and 12 seconds, demonstrating deep, meaningful engagement 

As one attendee remarked: “From AI advancements to next-gen networking solutions, Cisco Live has opened my eyes to groundbreaking technologies that are set to revolutionise the industry. A huge thank you to Cisco for hosting such an inspiring event and to everyone I had the pleasure of meeting and learning from.” 

The Result

The AI Observatory successfully connected technical professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate their AI journey with confidence. By transforming complex data landscapes into an engaging and accessible experience, Cisco ensured that AI was no longer a distant, unreachable frontier but an opportunity within arm’s reach and within an 18-month time frame. 

With Cisco AI as the infrastructure partner, the universe of artificial intelligence is no longer a boundless unknown. Instead, it has become a navigable, structured cosmos, one where businesses can chart their own course, decode the constellations of data, and harness AI as a force for transformation. Where space travel remains an aspiration, AI is now an expedition already underway with Cisco as the Mission Control, guiding enterprises toward their AI-powered future.