System administrators drive Asia’s AI success amidst rapid change
As organisations across Asia accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), the ongoing efforts of system administrators – often overlooked – are proving critical to the region's digital transformation. Industry leaders are drawing attention to the formidable challenges faced by IT teams tasked with ensuring the seamless operation of increasingly complex digital environments, especially as many businesses move from exploratory AI pilots to widespread deployments.
Matthew Hardman, Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific at Hitachi Vantara, highlighted the unique obstacles associated with AI scale-up across the continent. Citing recent research by the company, Hardman noted that 42 percent of organisations in Asia now view AI as integral to their operations. However, the benefits of these AI systems are yet to be fully realised, with their models delivering accurate outcomes only 32 percent of the time and just 30 percent of organisational data currently structured. Despite the optimism around AI, strains on infrastructure are emerging.
"AI gets the headlines. But the people who keep it running - system administrators - rarely get the credit," said Hardman. "System administrators are the ones keeping everything on track. They manage growing data volumes, ensure systems are secure, and help businesses stay online and resilient. They are quietly building the conditions that allow AI to succeed."
As businesses overhaul their digital strategies, data quality remains a persistent hurdle. Unstructured, incomplete, or inaccessible data frequently disrupts the promise of AI-powered transformation. Yet it is system administrators, the custodians of infrastructure and data operations, who are continually working to resolve these issues. Their roles have become indispensable as downtime, cyber threats, and compliance requirements grow more complex.
Hardman added, "In the rush to automate, it's easy to forget the human effort behind digital transformation. Sysadmins make AI work in the real world, where data is messy, risks are constant, and downtime is not an option." He emphasised that despite rarely featuring in boardroom presentations or financial updates, system administrators are the often invisible enablers of every successful digital milestone.
The importance of system administrators extends beyond supporting AI. Bruce Kornfeld, Chief Product Officer at StorMagic, underscored their essential role in sustaining business continuity amidst mounting operating costs and shifting technology requirements. "System administrators are the backbone of resilient IT," stated Kornfeld. "As organisations rethink infrastructure strategies due to rising hardware costs, licensing changes and the need to support new requirements for real-time analytics, SysAdmins are the ones keeping everything running smoothly."
Kornfeld pointed out the adaptability required of today's IT professionals. From maintaining hyperconverged systems at remote sites to supporting edge analytics and handling cloud outages, system administrators continuously navigate evolving landscapes. "Today's IT environment demands flexibility, whether it's managing hyperconverged infrastructure at remote sites, supporting real-time data at the edge or navigating vendor transitions. SysAdmins are doing all of this while adapting to new and complex technologies like AI and software-defined systems."
As System Administrator Appreciation Day approaches, commentators stress the need to acknowledge these unsung heroes of digital transformation. Their expertise and diligence underpin the resilience of digital systems, enabling businesses to innovate confidently and withstand disruptions. "On SysAdmin Day, we recognise that they are often the unsung hero of organisations – navigating disruptions, reducing complexity and helping businesses stay ahead," Kornfeld said.
With organisations across Asia poised for continued digital growth, industry voices are united in their call to recognise the indispensable contribution system administrators make to the success and security of modern IT ecosystems. Amidst the excitement around AI and next-generation technologies, it is the skillful management of these professionals that makes digital advancement possible.
