SAS, a leader in data and AI solutions, has introduced what it terms a “game-changing strategy” for businesses to confront their challenges.
With the launch of lightweight, industry-tailored AI models available for individual licenses, SAS aims to empower organisations with easily deployable AI technology to operationalise real-world use cases with unmatched efficiency.
Chandana Gopal, research director at IDC’s Future of Intelligence, commented: “SAS is adapting its portfolio to cater to broader user requirements and expand market share with innovative new products.”
“A promising area for SAS involves productising models leveraging its core assets, talent, and intellectual property derived from its extensive experience in collaborating with customers to address industry-specific problems.”
In the current market, the use of models predominantly revolves around large language models (LLMs) for generative AI. However, LLMs represent only a fraction of the modelling needs for practical AI deployments and decision-making in businesses. With this new initiative, SAS is going beyond LLMs and providing industry-tested deterministic AI models across various applications, including fraud detection, supply chain optimization, entity management, document conversion, healthcare payment integrity, and more.
Contrary to traditional AI implementations that can be challenging and slow, SAS’ industry-specific models are designed for rapid integration, allowing organisations to deploy reliable AI technology and expedite the achievement of tangible benefits and trusted outcomes.
Expanding market footprint
Businesses face increasing pressure to remain competitive and are turning to AI for an advantage. Simultaneously, recruiting data science talent has become more difficult due to skill shortages in AI. This has led organisations to seek agility in AI solutions to swiftly address issues and deliver quick business outcomes. SAS’ user-friendly yet powerful models fine-tuned for enterprises offer organisations the advantage of over five decades of SAS’ expertise across various industries.
Packaging industry models is one result of SAS’ $1 billion investment in AI-driven industry solutions. As detailed in the May 2023 announcement, this commitment to AI builds on SAS’ long-standing dedication to providing packaged solutions for addressing sector-specific challenges in banking, government, healthcare, and beyond.
Udo Sglavo, SAS’ VP for AI and Analytics, stated: “Models complement our existing solutions and SAS Viya platform offerings, catering to diverse business needs across various audiences to ensure innovation permeates our ecosystem.”
“By customizing our approach to meet specific industry demands, our frameworks enable businesses to thrive in their unique settings.”
Bringing AI to the masses
SAS is democratizing AI by providing out-of-the-box, lightweight AI models, making AI accessible to users of all skill levels, beginning with an AI assistant for optimizing warehouse space. Utilizing technologies like large language models, these assistants aid non-technical users by converting their interactions into streamlined workflows, facilitating quicker planning decisions.
Sgvalo added: “SAS Models deliver flexible, timely, and accessible AI that aligns with industry challenges.”
“Whether you’re starting your AI journey or looking to accelerate AI deployment throughout your organisation, SAS provides unmatched support to meet your business’s specific requirements.”
The first SAS Models are anticipated to be available by the end of the year.
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