“Wi-Fi Is No Longer Just Connectivity — It’s Infrastructure”: RUCKUS Networks’ Jim Doherty on AI, Wi-Fi 7, and the Future of Networking
As Wi-Fi usage accelerates across high-density environments, IoT networks, and mission-critical business applications, the networking industry is experiencing one of its biggest changes in decades. Jim Doherty, VP of Marketing at RUCKUS Networks, explains how AI-powered intelligence, the shift to Wi-Fi 7, and the rise of specialized networking are transforming enterprise connectivity. In this interview, he discusses why reliability now equals speed and what regions like the Middle East reveal about the future of digital infrastructure.
With Wi-Fi usage growing across high-density venues, IoT, and real-time business applications, how has that affected the industry in recent years?
The industry has fundamentally shifted. We’re no longer just connecting devices—we’re enabling mission-critical applications. High-density venues like stadiums, airports, and hospitals now demand Wi-Fi that performs like wired networks. The explosion of IoT devices has compounded this challenge; we’re seeing networks support thousands of connected devices simultaneously, from smart building sensors to mobile point-of-sale systems.
This growth has forced the industry to evolve beyond basic connectivity. Network reliability, latency, and capacity have become competitive differentiators. Organizations can’t afford downtime or poor performance—it directly impacts revenue and customer experience. At RUCKUS Networks, we’ve seen demand surge for solutions that don’t just deliver speed, but intelligence and resilience. The days of “one and done” networking are over.
How is the AI revolution impacting the networking industry? And how are you integrating this technology within RUCKUS Networks?
AI is transforming networking from reactive to predictive. Historically, IT teams spent hours troubleshooting issues after they occurred. Today, AI-driven platforms like the RUCKUS AI™ solution can identify and resolve problems before they impact users—helping IT teams significantly reduce mean time to resolution.
At RUCKUS Networks, we’re embedding AI throughout our platform. Our AI-driven Radio Resource Management (RRM) analyzes billions of data points to automatically optimize channel planning, bandwidth allocation, and transmit power. We’ve also integrated Graph AI to intelligently reshape enterprise networking by learning from RF environments and making real-time adjustments. Graph AI is an advanced AI approach that represents Wi-Fi networks as interconnected nodes (access points) and links (RF relationships), enabling mathematical algorithms to optimize network performance by analyzing interference patterns, RF environment, and AP density in ways traditional machine learning cannot.”
We’ve integrated Graph AI into our Radio Resource Management system, which means our AI doesn’t just react to problems—it understands the mathematical relationships between your access points to automatically prevent interference and maximize performance.
What’s critical is that we’re not just adding AI for the sake of it.
Graph AI enables predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and allowing IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than reactive troubleshooting.
Wi-Fi 7 and beyond promise higher speeds and capacity — but what real-world constraints do you still see? (e.g., spectrum, device ecosystem, interference)
Wi-Fi 7 is genuinely transformative—we’re seeing peak throughputs over 40 Gbps with multi-link operation enabling concurrent transmissions across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands. But you’re right to ask about constraints.
Spectrum complexity is significant. The 6 GHz band opens incredible opportunities, but it’s shared with other unlicensed applications. Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) helps, but managing this requires expertise many organizations don’t yet have.
Device ecosystem maturity is another challenge. Wi-Fi 7 client devices are still emerging. Early adoption means limited device options, and enterprises can’t force their entire user base to upgrade overnight. We’re in a transition period where networks must support Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and 7 simultaneously.
Interference and RF complexity remain real. More channels and bandwidth options sound great, but they create configuration challenges that human operators alone can’t manage at scale. This is where AI becomes essential—it’s the only way to maintain optimal performance across increasingly complex RF environments.
The reality is Wi-Fi 7 isn’t a silver bullet. It’s a powerful tool that requires intelligent management to unlock its full potential.
How do you view the Middle East region in terms of infrastructure and opportunities? What unique challenges stand out?
The Middle East is one of the most dynamic regions for networking innovation. We’re seeing aggressive digital transformation across hospitality, finance, smart cities, and government sectors. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in infrastructure modernization, and that creates tremendous opportunity for advanced networking solutions.
Opportunities are clear: high-density venues like stadiums and shopping centers, rapid IoT adoption in smart city initiatives, and enterprises demanding enterprise-grade reliability. The region’s focus on becoming a global business hub means connectivity standards must be world-class.
Unique challenges include managing extreme environmental conditions—heat, dust, and outdoor deployments require robust hardware. There’s also the complexity of supporting multiple regulatory environments and spectrum allocations across different countries. Additionally, the region is experiencing rapid growth in device density, particularly in hospitality and retail, which demands sophisticated network management.
What excites us is the region’s willingness to adopt cutting-edge technology. Organizations here aren’t constrained by legacy thinking—they’re ready to implement Purpose-Driven Networking solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes.
Looking ahead 3–5 years, what disruptive networking technologies do you expect to shape the industry?
Several trends will converge to reshape networking:
- AI-Driven Autonomous Networks will become standard, not optional. Networks will self-optimize, self-heal, and predict issues before they occur. This will fundamentally change how IT teams operate—shifting from reactive troubleshooting to strategic planning.
- Converged Wireless Networks will flatten multiple technologies—Wi-Fi, private cellular (4G/5G), and IoT protocols like Matter and Thread—into unified platforms. Organizations will optimize connectivity dynamically based on application needs, not technology silos.
- 6 GHz Maturation will unlock new use cases. As device ecosystems mature and AFC becomes standardized, 6 GHz will become as reliable as traditional bands, enabling applications we haven’t yet imagined.
- Edge Computing Integration will tighten the bond between networking and compute. Networks won’t just connect devices; they’ll process data locally, reducing latency and enabling real-time AI applications at the edge.
- Sustainability Focus will drive innovation. Energy-efficient networking, reduced e-waste, and optimized infrastructure will become competitive differentiators as enterprises prioritize ESG goals.
The common thread? Purpose-Driven Networking—solutions designed around customer needs, not technology capabilities. Organizations that embrace this philosophy will lead their industries.
