SAP, a global leader in enterprise software, has made an exciting announcement that is set to transform the way businesses operate. Introducing Joule, a natural-language, generative AI copilot that will be embedded throughout SAP’s cloud enterprise portfolio. This revolutionary AI assistant is designed to deliver proactive and contextualized insights, providing users with the ability to get work done faster and drive better business outcomes in a secure and compliant manner.
The Power of Joule
Joule draws on SAP’s extensive experience and expertise at the intersection of business and technology. With nearly 300 million enterprise users worldwide regularly utilizing SAP’s cloud solutions, Joule has the potential to redefine the way businesses operate. Unlike traditional AI assistants that simply listen and respond, Joule has the ability to truly understand the nuances of business language and context. It goes beyond just understanding what you say; it knows what you mean.
Embedded Across SAP Solutions
Joule will be seamlessly integrated into SAP applications across various domains, including HR, finance, supply chain, procurement, customer experience, and the SAP Business Technology Platform. By embedding Joule throughout these applications, SAP aims to transform the user experience, making it as simple as tapping on the shoulder of your smartest colleague. Employees can now ask questions or present problems in plain language, and Joule will provide intelligent answers sourced from a vast wealth of business data across the SAP portfolio and third-party sources, while retaining context.
Real-World Use Cases
The applications of Joule are vast and varied. In the realm of HR, Joule can assist in writing unbiased job descriptions and generating relevant interview questions. For manufacturers, Joule can help gain a deeper understanding of sales performance by identifying underperforming regions and linking to other data sets that reveal potential supply chain issues. This level of insight and analysis can be invaluable in driving business success.
Responsible and Ethical AI
SAP understands the importance of responsible and ethical AI. To ensure that Joule operates ethically, SAP has established an external AI ethics advisory panel. This panel evaluates every AI use case within SAP to ensure that it meets ethical standards. As part of its commitment to data privacy and security, SAP will not use customer data to train external AI models for other customers. Additionally, SAP will host the associated large language models (LLMs) in its own data centers, safeguarding customer data and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
Joule’s Availability
SAP is rolling out Joule in a phased approach. It will first be made available with SAP SuccessFactors solutions and SAP Start later this year, followed by integration with SAP S/4HANA Cloud, public edition in early 2024. SAP Customer Experience, SAP Ariba solutions, and SAP Business Technology Platform will be integrated subsequently. Further updates on Joule’s availability and features will be announced at upcoming SAP events, including Success Connect, SAP Spend Connect Live, SAP Customer Experience Live, and SAP TechEd.
A Comprehensive AI Strategy
Joule is just one part of SAP’s comprehensive AI strategy. SAP is committed to building an enterprise AI ecosystem of the future, which includes direct investments and third-party partnerships. In July, SAP announced investments in Aleph Alpha, Anthropic, and Cohere, and in May, it announced partnerships with Microsoft, Google Cloud, and IBM. The dedication of resources to AI-powered enterprise technology startups through Sapphire Ventures LLC further demonstrates SAP’s commitment to driving innovation in the AI space.
Joining the AI Revolution
AI is transforming industries and revolutionizing the way businesses operate. SAP recognizes the opportunities and challenges that AI presents and is at the forefront of this revolution. By leveraging the power of AI through tools like Joule, businesses can unlock new levels of productivity, efficiency, and innovation. SAP is empowering organizations to stay ahead of the competition and make a meaningful difference in the world.
Conclusion
SAP’s announcement of Joule marks a major milestone in the evolution of AI in the enterprise space. With its ability to truly understand business language and context, Joule has the potential to revolutionize the way people work. By embedding Joule across SAP’s cloud enterprise portfolio, SAP is empowering businesses to leverage the power of AI and drive better business outcomes. As the AI revolution continues to unfold, SAP remains committed to responsible and ethical AI, ensuring that technology serves humanity in the best possible way.