Imagine a future where businesses in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region operate with unprecedented efficiency and innovation. This vision is becoming a reality through SAP’s latest generative artificial intelligence program, Joule, which is set to transform how firms across the region conduct their operations.
Revolutionizing Business Operations with AI
The German software giant, SAP, is integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities directly into business processes to streamline workflows, enhance decision-making, and significantly boost productivity across various sectors. Ahmed Al-Faifi, the senior vice president and managing director of SAP Middle East and Africa — North, shared insights into the profound impact of AI on the region during the SAP Sapphire conference in Barcelona, Spain.
Joule, SAP’s natural language generative AI copilot, is at the forefront of this transformation. It is crafted to simplify tasks and improve outcomes, with the ambitious goal of managing 80% of the most common tasks performed by SAP’s 300 million end users by the end of 2024. This shift promises to increase productivity by 20%, offering substantial advantages to businesses in the Gulf region.
Strategic Importance of Saudi Arabia
Joule’s capabilities extend across various business functions, from finance and analytics to order management. It provides strategic recommendations by leveraging SAP’s B2B data model to offer real-time insights that enhance cash collection, supply chain decisions, and procurement strategies. This level of AI-driven support is particularly valuable in the Gulf, where businesses are navigating rapid growth and digital transformation.
Al-Faifi, a Saudi national leading SAP’s regional efforts, underlined the strategic significance of Saudi Arabia as a market. He emphasized the need to utilize AI in ways that benefit the region’s businesses and communities, saying, “Amid this impressive and rapid digital evolution, it is imperative that we use AI in a way that will benefit our region’s businesses and communities.”
SAP’s investment in Saudi Arabia is a testament to its commitment to this mission. Earlier this year, the company inaugurated an SAP Experience Center in Alkhobar, aimed at driving innovation with customers and partners. In partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, SAP has extended its Academy of Engineering program until 2025, further enhancing the country’s technological capabilities.
Driving Innovation and Adaptation
Innovation is about leveraging knowledge in existing industries. For instance, in the oil and gas sector, SAP collaborates with Saudi Aramco to drive innovation, particularly in maintenance optimization. Al-Faifi noted, “AI is challenging everybody. It is going too fast. There are so many scenarios, so many capabilities available, and the regulation is still evolving. The major focus here for SAP AI is to help the customer adapt and consume the technology they have in a much easier way.”
Joule plays a crucial role in this adaptation process, serving as an adviser to clients and simplifying complex business processes to enhance efficiency and productivity. This innovation comes at a pivotal time for Saudi Arabia, where rapid growth and transformation demand cutting-edge solutions. “The transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia is very exciting,” said Al-Faifi. “We can leverage the use of AI in business to expedite projects and attract new ones. The SAP innovation center in Saudi is meant to help local projects learn how to go faster to realize their goals.”
As SAP continues to expand its AI capabilities, the Gulf region stands to benefit from more streamlined operations, faster project completion, and ultimately, a stronger competitive position in the global market.
