SAS announces digital twins, Viya upgrades & sector AI models

SAS has announced a brand new series of updates spanning digital twins, the SAS Viya platform, AI agents, quantum AI, custom models, and AI governance resources.

The company has worked with Epic Games' Unreal Engine to bolster its digital twins technology, bringing 3D visualisations to industrial processes.

This collaboration allows businesses to simulate strategies in digital environments and see the impact of changes before implementation. Manufacturing firm Georgia-Pacific is among the users employing this approach to better understand complex data and automate their systems.

Alongside the digital twins initiative, SAS has introduced enhancements to its SAS Viya platform. These updates are designed to improve business productivity and empower decision-making. The new offerings on the SAS Viya platform support businesses in using AI capabilities to address operational challenges.

With comprehensive data and analytics features, the platform aims to make analytics accessible for professionals with a wide range of skill levels.

SAS has also unveiled developments in its agentic AI technology with SAS intelligent decisioning.

The new AI agents feature is intended to create environments where AI systems can render decisions and take action with minimal or no human involvement.

Organisations are able to design, deploy and scale these agents while ensuring outcomes meet both business and regulatory standards. SAS commented, "Imagine a future where AI systems render decisions and take action with little to no human intervention. SAS is building the agentic AI future with SAS intelligent decisioning, empowering organisations to design, deploy, and scale AI agents, ensuring accurate outcomes while adhering to business and regulatory standards."

The company also published findings from a global study on quantum AI adoption.

According to SAS, more than 60% of surveyed organisations are investing in quantum AI technologies.

The survey indicates a significant interest in the potential of quantum computing, but also points to challenges and barriers that businesses are encountering. SAS stated, "Quantum computing and quantum AI are becoming significant focus points for businesses, with more than 60% of respondents from a global study indicating they're actively investing in quantum AI. Despite this, businesses are facing crucial barriers."

"With its extensive data and AI knowledge, SAS supports businesses by providing guidance, conducting research, and working with leaders and companies in the quantum space."

SAS is expanding its portfolio of AI models, having announced a new collection tailored to specific industries as part of its most recent USD $1 billion investment in sector-specific solutions. The new models are intended for sectors including banking, healthcare, manufacturing and the public sector.

These are designed to help organisations of all sizes to improve productivity and return on investment while meeting standards for responsible innovation. SAS said, "In its latest wave of $1 billion investment in industry solutions, SAS has announced a new selection of AI models across key sectors, including banking, healthcare, manufacturing and the public sector. Organisations of all sizes and skillsets can create models to boost productivity and return on investment, while adhering to the highest standards of responsible innovation."

With AI adoption advancing rapidly, SAS is also introducing governance resources aimed at helping organisations address AI-related risks and regulatory requirements.

The launch of the SAS AI Governance Map enables organisations to assess their current AI governance maturity and plans forward. SAS said, "As AI accelerates the pace and proliferation of innovation, the need for AI governance has never been more urgent."

"To support organisations in confidently navigating AI governance, SAS has launched the AI Governance Map, helping organisations assess their AI governance maturity and build a clear path forward, removing barriers to adoption, and successful implementation."