In the ever-evolving quest for operational efficiency, innovation, and profitability, the Gulf’s corporate landscape is on the cusp of a transformative leap, thanks to SAP’s generative artificial intelligence (AI) initiative, Joule. The German tech giant is embedding advanced AI tools into the fabric of business processes to refine workflows, sharpen decision-making, and ramp up productivity across diverse sectors.
Ahmed Al-Faifi, SAP’s senior vice president and managing director for the Middle East and North Africa, recently underscored the significance of AI in the regional context at the SAP Sapphire conference held in Barcelona, Spain.
Joule, SAP’s natural language generative AI copilot, is designed to simplify tasks and improve outcomes. (SAP photo)
Al-Faifi highlighted the innovative use of generative AI and strategic partnerships announced at the conference as milestones particularly pertinent to the digital transformation journey embraced by both the public and private sectors in the region.
At the core of this technological revolution is Joule, SAP’s intuitive generative AI copilot. Joule is poised to handle 80 percent of the most common operations executed by SAP’s 300 million users by the end of 2024, potentially increasing productivity by as much as 20 percent—a boon for Gulf businesses.
Joule’s capabilities span essential business functions, including finance, analytics, and order management. Its strategic prowess lies in offering real-time insights based on SAP’s B2B data model, thereby improving cash collection, supply chain decisions, and procurement strategies.
This AI-driven support is especially valuable for Gulf businesses as they navigate a landscape marked by swift growth and digital transformation.
Al-Faifi, a proud Saudi at the helm of SAP’s regional endeavors, accentuated Saudi Arabia’s strategic significance as a burgeoning market. He emphasized the necessity of deploying AI to advantageously impact regional businesses and communities.
Ahmed Al-Faifi, senior vice president and managing director of SAP Middle East and North Africa. (Supplied)
“From the start, SAP has been at the forefront of offering AI solutions that are pertinent, trustworthy, and ethically grounded. We are resolute in ensuring that our AI-infused business portfolio adheres to these core principles while fostering success for both public and private enterprises,” Al-Faifi stated.
SAP reaffirms its commitment to the region with strategic investments in Saudi Arabia. The recent inauguration of an SAP Experience Center in Alkhobar and the extension of the SAP Academy of Engineering program in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology till 2025, underscore this commitment, fortifying the nation’s tech prowess.
Last year, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in collaboration with SAP Global launched a specialized training program aimed at qualifying national digital talent through both virtual and in-person journeys. (MICT photo)
Al-Faifi, in an exchange with Arab News, discussed the application of AI in existing industries, like the collaboration with Saudi Aramco on optimizing maintenance operations to reduce costs and downtime. He also stressed the imperative for businesses to swiftly adapt to the rapid advancements in AI technology.
With Joule as a central instrument in this adaptive journey, SAP is assisting clients in simplifying intricate business processes, thereby boosting efficiency and productivity. For Saudi Arabia, undergoing significant growth and transformation, these innovations are particularly timely.
Al-Faifi expressed enthusiasm for the transformation within Saudi Arabia, recognizing the potential of AI in business to accelerate projects and attract new ventures. The SAP innovation center in Saudi aims to assist local projects in achieving their objectives more efficiently.
As SAP forges ahead with enhancing its AI offerings, the Gulf region is poised to reap the rewards of more streamlined operations, accelerated project completion, and a bolstered competitive edge in the international arena.