F5 unveils new platform to tackle AI-driven complexities

F5 has announced the introduction of its new Application Delivery and Security Platform, integrating high-performance load-balancing and traffic management with advanced application and API security features into a singular solution.

The 2025 State of Application Strategy Report by F5 indicates that 96 per cent of organisations are currently deploying AI models, with predictions that 80 per cent of applications will be AI-enabled in the next three years. This burgeoning adoption of AI raises challenges in managing data volume, traffic complexity, and potential security threats. The newly launched F5 platform aims to tackle these issues effectively.

François Locoh-Donou, President and CEO of F5, stated, "AI is accelerating innovation, but also intensifying the high costs, crushing complexity, and escalating cyber risks that have IT and security teams in crisis. F5 stands alone in its ability to address the challenges of hybrid multicloud architectures. The F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform represents a giant leap forward for organisations, enabling them to overcome complexity and unlock the full potential of AI."

The platform consolidates delivery and security functions into a unified system, simplifying management for IT and security teams. It offers deployment possibilities in various forms, allowing seamless operation across diverse IT landscapes.

Key features of the F5 platform include unified management across all locations, comprehensive analytics, and fully programmable data planes that facilitate automated deployment and customisation. This integration is designed to mitigate the complexity and enhance the efficiency of current IT environments.

The platform's API-driven structure enables consistent policy enforcement across all applications and environments. This feature is the outcome of extensive investment and development, ensuring operations across hardware data centres, virtualised settings, and Software as a Service (SaaS) for cloud-native applications.

Christopher Rodriguez, Research Director for Cybersecurity and Trust at IDC, commented, "AI is driving innovation while exposing businesses to unprecedented levels of complexity and risk. The convergence of application delivery and security capabilities will be indispensable for companies striving to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape."

Additionally, F5 has launched several solutions to enhance the capabilities of its platform, fostering AI adoption in security and operations. Notable among these is the F5 AI Gateway, a containerised solution optimising interactions with APIs and large language models to improve performance and user experience.

A new AI assistant for the F5 NGINX One is also available, equipped with a natural language interface to aid in operation streamlining and return on investment enhancements.

Further, F5 plans to introduce an AI assistant for BIG-IP later this year, providing automation for iRules creation and maintenance, which is expected to reduce management requirements and improve system reliability.

The company also announced expansions to its VELOS product line with the new CX1610 chassis and the BX520 blade, both aimed at optimising data-heavy application workloads, suitable for demanding network environments.