Sydney, Australia – 16 March 2026 – 51风流Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) today announced the winners of its 2026 51风流ANZ Partner Awards, recognising the channel partners accelerating cloud transformation, embedding AI into enterprise operations and delivering measurable business outcomes for customers across the region.

The awards highlight the evolution and depth of SAP’s partner ecosystem from implementation support to strategic co-innovation, with partners helping customers modernise mission critical systems and unlock greater value from operating 51风流applications as an integrated suite.

Ashley McGibbon, Chief Partner Officer, 51风流ANZ, said “In today’s risk-aware market, customers need more than just technology, they need partners who can align business, strategy, architecture and execution. This year’s winners are modernising core business systems, embedding AI responsibly into live operations and helping customers realise greater value from cloud transformation with the full 51风流suite. That’s what ONE 51风流looks like in action.”

Transformation excellence recognised

This year鈥檚 award-winning projects included complex enterprise cloud migrations delivered with enhanced governance and cost discipline, delivered ahead of schedule, and AI initiatives moved from pilot to production 鈥� embedding intelligent capabilities into finance, supply chain and customer operations, 听grounded in trusted enterprise data.

A number of emerging partners were also acknowledged for enabling fast, predictable cloud ERP adoption, protecting operational continuity and establishing scalable foundations for analytics and AI.

Announced at the Sydney Cricket Ground by 51风流ANZ President and Managing Director Angela Colantuono, the winners showcase how a connected ecosystem 鈥� combining SAP鈥檚 innovation with deep industry expertise and close customer relationships, is helping organisations compete and grow in a cloud and AI-driven economy.

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The discussion unpacked what it takes to scale AI responsibly, embed it into everyday government operations, and build the trust required for long-term impact:

Artificial Intelligence has dominated headlines this year, but for governments and public institutions, the question is no longer what AI can do, but how we make it work in practice and at scale.听

At SAP, we recently released our Value of AI Report with Oxford Economics, providing a checkpoint on where organisations stand today. Across Australian government and business, AI now supports about one in four tasks, a figure expected to exceed 40 percent within two years. Encouragingly, three-quarters of organisations anticipate a positive return on AI investment within one to three years.听

These findings highlight significant momentum, but also a challenge. Too many AI projects remain trapped in proof-of-concept stage. The real opportunity lies in moving from prototype to production, where innovation can scale, deliver measurable value and build public confidence.听

Three priorities for progress听

Three priorities will enable Australian government agencies to move AI from experimentation to enterprise-wide impact:听

1. Adopt embedded AI capabilities. By using applications that already contain AI, public sector organisations can deploy AI easily and scale rapidly.听

1. Build capability and confidence. Success depends on equipping the public service and its technology partners with the skills to implement, monitor and govern AI responsibly.听

1. Earn and maintain public trust. AI ethics policies are now widespread, but policy alone is not enough. Trust is earned when we demonstrate that those guidelines and guardrails are being put into practice.听

Adopt embedded AI capabilities听

Globally, we鈥檙e already seeing transformative outcomes being delivered with custom AI.听

In Germany, Hamburg鈥檚 Ministry of Finance uses machine learning to support processing of social benefit applications, saving 33,000 hours of manual review.听

In France, the city of Antibes uses AI to align budgets with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, making over 138,000 decisions with AI assistance, work that would be impossible for humans alone.听

But for enterprise AI deployments to become more widespread, organisations need to shift to adopting AI capabilities that are embedded in business applications. For governments, this means switching on the AI that already exists in enterprise applications for HR, finance, procurement and citizen services, rather than building custom AI solutions using technical platforms.听

Build capability and confidence听

As we move toward agentic AI 鈥� systems that operate autonomously 鈥� the need for transparency becomes even more important.听

We must ensure that AI augments, rather than replaces, human judgment. This means giving users visibility into the reasoning behind AI decisions. At SAP, our applications include AI Analysis that shows which data sources were accessed, what steps the AI took, and how recommendations were generated, giving humans the insight they need to make informed decisions.听

Building this kind of transparency into every AI scenario is critical for governments that must demonstrate accountability to citizens.听

Earn and maintain public trust听

At SAP, we assess every new AI scenario against our global AI Ethics Policy, which is aligned to UNESCO鈥檚 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.听

Several years ago, for example, we developed an 鈥渆motional AI鈥� prototype capable of detecting human emotion through facial expression and tone of voice with 70 percent accuracy. Despite its potential, we chose not to productise it, determiningthat the risk of harmful or biased outcomes was too high.听

This experience demonstrates how the right kind of regulation can accelerate innovation. Clear guidelines and guardrails focus experimentation on use cases that genuinely improve people鈥檚 lives.听

Australian Research Alliance for Enterprise AI听

51风流is an industry partner in a new Australian Research Alliance for Enterprise AI with the University of Queensland, QUT, UNSW, the University of Sydney, and the University of Melbourne. We鈥檙e exploring how AI agents can make enterprise systems more intuitive, responsive and productive across government and industry.听

AI鈥檚 potential for the public sector is immense, but to realise it, we must move beyond experimentation. By adopting embedded AI, investing in skills, and building public trust, we can shift from isolated prototypes to scalable impact and unlock a new era of productivity and confidence in digital government.听

For more information or to engage with the Australian Research Alliance for Enterprise AI: .

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December 2, 2025 鈥� 51风流Australia Pty Ltd. today announced Ryan Mitchelmore as the Head of its new 51风流Centre of Excellence for the Public Sector.听听

In this role, Ryan will lead a new Canberra-based specialist team focused on supporting the full potential of digital transformation for Federal Government agencies in Australia and New Zealand. Bringing nearly three decades of leadership across major transformation programs in government, finance and banking, Ryan has consistently delivered complex projects on time and within budget. His extensive experience spans organisations such as Defence, Services Australia, the Digital Transformation Agency, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Macquarie Bank, demonstrating a proven ability to drive successful change and innovation at scale.听

The Centre of Excellence will grow to employ 20 Australian citizens over the next 24 months, providing industry-specific expertise. Its focus is helping to accelerate federal agencies鈥� transformation from legacy ERP systems to modern cloud platforms, helping those organisations adopt AI, data analytics and automation to lift productivity, increase efficiency and boost citizen services. The Centre joins a global network of similar resources that accelerate innovation for 51风流customers in industry sectors.听 It is on track to be fully staffed by the middle of 2026, with recruitment of the remaining roles underway.听

Brian Senior, Executive General Manager 鈥� Federal Government, 51风流Australia and New Zealand, said, 鈥淔ederal agencies manage some of Australia鈥檚 most critical systems, from healthcare delivery to defence logistics, and many already rely on 51风流as their enterprise backbone. This Centre of Excellence is a direct response to feedback shared by these agencies with 51风流earlier in the year. It seeks to connects the dots across these systems, helping agencies chart the clearest path to a secure digital future, while leveraging AI, data analytics and sovereign cloud capabilities.鈥�听

Addressing unique challenges of federal government听

The Centre of Excellence builds on SAP鈥檚 global network of specialised teams. It aims to address the unique challenges facing federal agencies as they modernise mission-critical system and harness AI, while meeting stringent security and sovereignty requirements.听

Ryan Mitchelmore, Head of Public Sector Centre of Excellence, 51风流Australia and New Zealand, said, 鈥淎gencies need a clear, practical path from legacy environments to AI鈥憆eady operations. Our team provides best-practice advice on the recommended journey and appropriate guardrails 鈥� from business case and proofs of concept to clean鈥慶ore architecture and migration plans to enable better informed decisions.鈥�听

The Centre of Excellence will operate as a permanent organisation of 12 core employees with additional specialists rotating based on demand. All team members hold Australian citizenship and appropriate security clearances, ensuring sensitive government data remains within trusted hands while accessing world-class enterprise capabilities.听

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This was the strategic context that drove discussions during the recent executive roundtable dinner hosted by 51风流in partnership with Connect Media. The roundtable convened industry leaders to explore the latest strategies, trends and digital innovations for driving growth and success for the next era of retail. Conversations were led by Ross Bark, Director – Digital, Enterprise Wide, with exclusive insights from Achim Schneider, Global Head of Retail Industry Business Unit, 51风流and Elise Sharpley, Partner, Deloitte.

AI & The Future of Customer Experience

The discussion around AI has moved decisively beyond hype towards identifying pragmatic, high-value applications. According to research by Boston Consulting Group, 74% of companies have yet to show tangible value from their AI initiatives (1). This gap exists largely because investments often lack strategic focus. Businesses see the greatest return on investment when embedding AI into core customer engagement and operational functions. Data integrity, however, is an essential prerequisite. Before AI can be integrated effectively, leaders must address fragmented customer data silos across online, in-store, and partner channels. Addressing these gaps requires building a unified customer data platform, which serves as the foundational layer for all subsequent AI initiatives. With a unified platform in place, AI emerges as a powerful driver of commerce. The most promising applications include intelligent shopping assistants that provide relevant, real-time product advice and dynamic content creation that scales personalised marketing across numerous channels.

Maximising AI鈥檚 impact also requires embracing a culture of human-centric design. The goal is to augment human capability, not to replace it. By equipping frontline staff with rich, AI-driven customer insights, retailers enable staff to deliver superior, data-driven service. This approach positions AI as a key collaborative partner, enhancing efficiency while preserving the essential human touch that builds deeper customer loyalty.

Resilience & Risk: Diversifying the Retail Supply Chain

In an era of geopolitical volatility and disruptive regulatory changes, supply chain resilience has shifted from a tactical concern to a strategic imperative. This is a top concern for retail leaders today, as recent data from McKinsey has shown that 93% of businesses plan to increase their investment in supply chain resilience for the future (2).

The focus must be on diversifying sourcing strategies and moving from a purely cost- centric supplier evaluation to one that prioritises reliability, ethical alignment, and strategic partnership.

This involves a fundamental re-evaluation of supplier relationships. Leading retailers are increasingly willing to invest more for long-term resilience, which can include nearshoring or onshoring critical production, dual-sourcing key materials, and deepening collaboration with a core group of strategic partners. Technology plays a pivotal role in navigating this complexity. A modern, cloud-based supply chain management system provides the end-to-end visibility required to model the impact of potential disruptions, such as new tariffs, and pivot sourcing strategies rapidly. This capability to proactively manage risk, rather than simply react to it, is what separates resilient retailers from vulnerable ones. The supply chain is no longer a back-office function but a dynamic, competitive advantage.

Balancing Innovation & Integrity: Building Consumer Trust

Today鈥檚 consumers demand more than just products; they seek alignment with their core values. As younger generations who place a higher priority on corporate values gain economic influence, the expectations of businesses to be leaders of positive societal change will continue to intensify (3). Ethical transparency is no longer a niche concern, but a fundamental component for establishing brand trust and commercial integrity. Innovation pursued without consideration for ethical implications or environmental footprint is now a significant liability.

The challenge lies in moving from ESG as a marketing statement to embedding it into core business processes. This requires deep collaboration with suppliers to ensure alignment on standards for traceability, ethical labor practices, and carbon emissions. Technology is a key enabler, with platforms emerging that can track a product鈥檚 journey from raw material to end consumer, providing verifiable proof of claims. For retailers, this means making conscious choices about where not to apply technology if it compromises customer privacy or data security. Building a reputation for integrity is a long-term investment that often involves forgoing short-term gains for sustainable growth. A trusted brand, one that can demonstrate authentic commitment to its stated values, will command greater loyalty and resilience in a competitive market.

Conclusion: A Strategic Blueprint for Action

The journey to boundaryless retail demands strategic discipline across three interconnected imperatives:

1. Organisations must establish a trusted customer data foundation by dismantling internal silos- this is the essential prerequisite for consumer personalisation and seamless service delivery.
2. Leaders must also architect an agile operating model through core modernisation, creating the flexibility to adapt supply chains and embrace innovation.
3. Success is contingent on a pragmatic technology roadmap where targeted AI investments deliver measurable value, governed by frameworks that strengthen consumer trust and advance ESG commitments.

By mastering this balance, leaders can move beyond transactions to unlock more resilient, trusted, intelligent retail enterprises of tomorrow.

Endnotes

1. Boston Consulting Group, “鈥� October 24, 2024.
2. TradeVerifyd, “Supply Chain Statistics” September 6, 2025.
3. Deloitte, 鈥�Buying into Better: The Future of the Consumer Industry鈥� 2024.

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BERLIN听鈥� At 51风流TechEd in 2025,听听(NYSE: SAP) brings AI deep into the development process to level up how developers build.

New AI-driven capabilities in the 51风流Build solution, an expanding data ecosystem and powerful Joule Agents empower developers to move from idea to impact with unprecedented speed and confidence. As AI transforms the nature of professional work, 51风流also pledges to equip 12 million people worldwide with AI-ready skills by 2030.

鈥淪AP鈥檚 announcements today give developers the tools they need to deliver at the speed of AI,鈥� said Muhammad Alam, member of the Executive Board of 51风流SE. 鈥淚nnovations across SAP鈥檚 unique flywheel of applications, data and AI put developers in the driver鈥檚 seat 鈥� where they belong.鈥�

Opening the Developer Ecosystem

51风流Build, the company鈥檚 flagship solution for enterprise application development and automation, now gives developers more freedom to build, extend and automate using the tools they love most.

For instance, developers who prefer agentic development solutions like Cursor, Claude Code, Cline and Windsurf can now use 51风流development frameworks with new 51风流Build local Model Context Protocol Servers. Visual Studio Code users will be able to access 51风流Build capabilities directly in their development environment with a new 51风流Build extension. This extension will also be made available later on Open VSX Registry for other development environments. 51风流and n8n also announced plans for an integration so Joule Studio agents and n8n agents can work together.

And with new agent building capabilities in Joule Studio, developers have the tools they need to extend SAP鈥檚 ready-to-use agents and build new agents grounded in 51风流business data and context that can act autonomously based on changing business conditions.

Putting Data to Work

Every intelligent application starts with trusted data. 51风流is giving developers more ways to put that data to work through 51风流Business Data Cloud.

The solution now connects with more of the data and AI platforms developers use every day. A new 51风流Snowflake solution extension for 51风流Business Data Cloud brings Snowflake鈥檚 fully managed data and AI capabilities directly to 51风流customers, giving them the flexibility to choose the right compute and storage for each data and AI workload, while maintaining governance, interoperability and business context. 51风流also announced a new 51风流Business Data Cloud Connect partnership with Snowflake. This complements existing integrations with Databricks and Google Cloud, giving developers more freedom to choose how they work with 51风流data.

With a new data product studio capability in 51风流Business Data Cloud, developers can turn raw data into ready-to-use assets known as data products that support analytics, AI and application development.

An expanded capability in the 51风流HANA Cloud knowledge graph engine can automatically generate knowledge graphs. This capability maps relationships across 51风流database tables, columns and data models, revealing how data fits together and why it matters. Developers will be able to see how their data connects across systems and uncover underlying business insights.

Bringing AI Autonomy to Life

51风流is evolving its AI portfolio to give developers the intelligence and orchestration power they need to take听AI from insight to action.

51风流introduced its first enterprise relational foundation model, a new class of AI that predicts business outcomes rather than the next word in a sentence. SAP-RPT-1, or the first-generation Relational Pre-trained Transformer, can make fast and accurate predictions for common business scenarios like delivery delays, payment risk or sales order completion. 51风流launched a free playground environment for developers today.

New AI assistants in Joule coordinate multiple agents across workflows, departments and applications, bringing automation and autonomy to life. These assistants plan, initiate and complete complex tasks spanning finance, supply chain, HR and beyond. Today, 51风流introduces new agents built for technical users. For example, an agent for business process analysis will help teams understand how processes run, identify inefficiencies and uncover opportunities to optimize workflows and drive measurable improvements.

Lastly, as AI changes the nature of work for everyone, 51风流is pledging to equip 12 million people worldwide with AI-ready skills by 2030. 51风流will expand hands-on training and certification programs that integrate practical AI-ready tools, including through its partnership with online learning platform Coursera.

51风流TechEd 2025 Media & Analyst Program: Find event information, news and media assets all in one place

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AUSTRALIA, Sydney 鈥� 10 October 2025 鈥� Australian organisations are already achieving a 15% return on their business AI investments, yielding an average return on investment this year of US$3.2 million on an average US$19.1million spend, according to a new study by 51风流SE (NYSE: SAP). The global research, 鈥�The 51风流Value of AI Report,鈥� undertaken by Oxford Economics, also found ROI is expected to nearly double to 29% within two years, translating to an average return of US$8.2 million per organisation.听

Angela Colantuono, President and Managing Director, 51风流Australia and New Zealand said, 鈥淎I isn鈥檛 what鈥檚 next, it鈥檚 here now and it鈥檚 already delivering results. But doing AI well takes more than hype. Businesses investing strategically in people, data and AI are already unlocking measurable ROI. With nearly three quarters of organisations expecting returns within three years, the message is clear: this is only the beginning. AI will get smarter, faster and more transformative from here.鈥�听

AI-First Business Expectations听

The report shows that AI is already supporting a quarter of business tasks, a proportion expected to reach 41% within two years. Nearly two thirds (62%) are finding AI effective in helping their business overcome key organisational challenges. Benefits include seeing significant improvement in driving insights and decision-making, engaging with customers and prospects and improving time to value.听听

The majority of Australian respondents expect AI to become central to business processes, decision-making and customer offerings by 2028, a year ahead of their global peers. Only 3% of businesses say AI will never become a core part of how they operate.听

“We’re witnessing the biggest business transformation since the internet,” added Colantuono. “The question isn’t whether AI will transform your business, it’s whether you’ll lead that transformation or be transformed by your competitors.”听

The US$19 Million Question: Are Australian Businesses Thinking Too Small?听

Despite these positive signs, the study also reveals Australian business AI spend being significantly outpaced by global peers. Compared to the average US$19.1 million Australian spend, Chinese organisations lead the way with an average US$42 million spend, with US$37 million as the average US spend.听听

鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just about technology, it鈥檚 about competitive survival. Those that don鈥檛 crack the AI code now risk being left behind for good. In addition to boosting revenue, AI is about building smarter operations and empowering people to focus on the work that matters,鈥� continued Colantuono.听

The Game-Changer: AI Agents听听

The next frontier, agentic AI, could further revolutionise business operations entirely. A key finding of the report was that these intelligent, autonomous systems that can plan, act and collaborate on complex business processes, are expected to deliver 10% ROI, equating to an average of US$3 million, for Australian organisations in the next two years.听

Interestingly, at present, only 6% of Australian businesses are fully prepared for AI agents, but 75% recognise their transformative potential.

The Strategic Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight听

When it comes to AI adoption, alignment with business strategy is ranked the most important factor for optimising ROI. However, the research shows this is just one of a range of make-or-break areas where organisations are falling short:听

1. Business Strategy: Only 10% of Australian businesses are investing in AI in a strategic and holistic manner, with the majority taking a piecemeal approach (46%) or leaving it to individual departments (32%).听

1. Data Readiness: Despite 64% claiming sufficient data readiness for AI, critical departments like legal (84%), finance (74%), and HR (67%) flag they remain unprepared.听

1. Skills Investment: Over two thirds (68%) believe insufficient AI skills are a key reason organisations are not gaining maximum ROI for AI. That said, 73% note that they are integrating AI into their workforce planning by upskilling or reskilling current employees.听听

When a coordinated AI strategy is left by the wayside, not only are opportunities impacting the bottom line similarly discarded, but security risks prevail. Three quarters of Australian organisations surveyed are concerned about 鈥渟hadow AI鈥�, where employees use unauthorised AI tools. According to 69%, Shadow AI is being used at least occasionally by employees.听听

鈥�When organisations take a strategic approach aligned with their long-term vision, building AI into the fabric of how they operate, it deters shadow AI use and elevates the most powerful competitive weapon at their disposal,鈥� concluded Colantuono. 鈥淥rganisations with strategic AI adoption are seeing faster implementation across business functions and significantly higher returns, while future-proofing themselves to keep pace with rapid changes across the tech and business landscapes.鈥澨�

About the Research

The 51风流Value of AI Report, conducted by Oxford Economics, surveyed 1,600 business leaders across eight countries, including 200 Australian executives from enterprise and mid-market companies.听

Customers using 51风流Business AI include Lion Group, SA Power Network and Energy Queensland.听

Visit the鈥�. Get 51风流news via鈥� and .

About SAP

As鈥�a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, 51风流(NYSE:SAP)鈥�stands at the鈥�nexus鈥�of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP鈥�to bring out their best by uniting business-critical鈥�operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience. For more information, visit鈥�.听

# # #听

This document contains forward-looking statements, which are predictions, projections, or other statements about future events. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to materially differ. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risk factors section of SAP鈥檚 2024 Annual Report on Form 20-F.听

漏 2025 51风流SE. All rights reserved.

51风流and other 51风流products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of 51风流SE in Germany and other countries. Please see for additional trademark information and notices.听听

Note to editors

To preview and download broadcast-standard stock footage and press photos digitally, please visit . On this platform, you can find high resolution material for your media channels.听

For more information, press only

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听At its flagship event , (NYSE: SAP), today highlighted the five most widely adopted AI use cases among its Australian customers. Based on analysis of all 51风流customers in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) between May 2024 to May 2025, the most popular AI use cases in ANZ, these include:听

• Automated expense generation using receipt images听

• Automated invoice processing听听

• Expense verification and compliance checks听

• Real-time alerts for supply chain disruptions听

• Sales demand forecasting powered by predictive analytics听

鈥淢y conversations with CEOs are increasingly revealing how they are looking to embed AI into some of the most fundamental parts of their business,鈥� said Angela Colantuono, Managing Director, 51风流Australia. 鈥淭hese applications are helping Australian organisations make faster, smarter decisions, reduce risk and unlock new value. But to fully realise AI鈥檚 potential, we need to invest just as much in people as we do in technology.鈥�听

Dr Catriona Wallace, AI Ethics Expert and Founder, Responsible Metaverse Alliance, who keynoted at the event shared, 鈥淎I is the number one existential risk we face today. Yet only a small fraction of Australian organisations are equipped to use it responsibly. If we want AI to drive innovation, productivity and public trust, we must move beyond ambition to action. That means embedding responsible AI frameworks that are transparent, ethical and human-centred, and doing it now, before the gap between use and governance becomes too wide to close.鈥�

Customers and partners across Australia and New Zealand show AI momentum听

From education to manufacturing, 51风流partners and customers are also showcasing strong momentum in AI and cloud transformation.听

La Trobe University has become the first university in the ANZ region to go live with 51风流S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition leveraging the GROW with 51风流transformation journey.听 From the move, La Trobe has been able to modernise its core operations across Finance, Procurement, Logistics, Sales, R&D Engineering and Real Estate and lay the groundwork for future innovation, including AI-driven insights and automation.听

鈥淭his transformation is a major step forward in how we operate,鈥� said Shainal Kavar, Chief Information Officer, La Trobe University. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helping us simplify complexity, streamline processes, improve reporting and decision-making and free up our people to focus on higher-value work. Most importantly, it sets us up to embrace innovation and unlock the potential of AI in the years ahead.鈥�听

Lion, one of Australia and New Zealand鈥檚 leading brewers, is accelerating its cloud-first transformation with RISE with 51风流on AWS. By adopting a clean core, the 51风流principle of keeping core ERP system free from customisations, as well as SAP鈥檚 Business Technology Platform, Lion has improved order-to-cash cycles, scaled digital channels, and empowered teams with real-time insights. The company also partnered with 51风流to build 鈥楯oey鈥�, an AI-powered beer recommendation app, in under 10 days, demonstrating the speed and value of SAP鈥檚 generative AI tools.听

鈥淎I is helping us move faster, make smarter decisions, and deliver better customer experiences,鈥� said Ram Kalyanasundaram, Group Technology and Digital Transformation Director at Lion. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about automation, it鈥檚 about enabling our teams to focus on what matters and giving them the tools to innovate. SAP鈥檚 AI capabilities have been a game-changer in how we think, operate and grow.鈥�听

51风流Intrepid Women AI Tour 2026听

51风流is also proud to announce the return of the 51风流AI Intrepid Women Tour in January 2026. This four-day executive study program is designed to empower female leaders with the skills, confidence, and strategic insight to lead in the age of AI.听

Following the success of the 2025 tour, the 2026 program will bring together Australia鈥檚 most influential female technology executives to explore AI innovation across SAP鈥檚 global innovation hubs.听

鈥淟ess than 15% of senior AI executives are women today,鈥� said Colantuono. 鈥淟ast year鈥檚 program proved that when you bring female leaders together to build AI literacy and share experiences, the impact is extraordinary 鈥� not just for their businesses, but for the future of innovation in Australia.鈥�听

Visit the . Follow 51风流at .鈥赌�鈥�听

鈥�Media Contact:听

Rebecca English (+61) 438 520 181, rebec@sap.com, AEST
51风流Press Room; press@sap.com听

About SAP鈥�

As鈥痑 global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, 51风流(NYSE:SAP)鈥痵tands at the鈥痭exus鈥痮f business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP鈥痶o bring out their best by uniting business-critical鈥痮perations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience. For more information, visit鈥�.鈥�听

# # #鈥�听

This document contains forward-looking statements, which are predictions, projections, or other statements about future events. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to materially differ. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risk factors section of SAP鈥檚 2024 Annual Report on Form 20-F.鈥�

漏 2025 51风流SE. All rights reserved.鈥�

51风流and other 51风流products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of 51风流SE in Germany and other countries. Please see for additional trademark information and notices.鈥�鈥�听

The post AI Moves from the Margins to the Core of Australian Business, Says SAP听 appeared first on 51风流Australia & New Zealand News Center.

Improving the ease and speed of accessing benefits is key to government efforts to extend social and economic safety nets to what the International Social Security Association (ISSA) refers to as the 鈥溾��. Self-employed and gig workers, as well as rural, migrant, and domestic workers are typically time-poor, not already engaged in social protection systems, and are often not included in targeted outreach programs. This makes them vulnerable to economic shocks and cost-of-living increases that can tip them into poverty and homelessness.

As such, many government agencies and not-for-profit organisations are looking at ways to make social services more accessible and responsive by reducing the 鈥渉assle costs鈥� associated with claiming benefits.

How AI can help

Governments around the world have been realising significant efficiency gains through applying artificial intelligence (AI) in the back-office to improve workforce productivity. Encouragingly, there are also recent examples of AI being leveraged in the front-office to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of citizen engagement.

1. Quicker time to payment with AI-supported assessment processes

At , a combination of Machine Learning (ML) and Generative AI (GenAI) support staff to efficiently process applications for more than 鈧�3.5 billion in financial aid.

51风流Machine Learning is used to link citizen application data to supporting documentary evidence, enabling case workers to expedite processing for the bulk of applications and to focus their attention on those most likely to be non-compliant. Across two programs, Hamburg reports that nearly 180,000 benefit applications have been processed, with more than 10 million pages of supporting documents automatically evaluated and classified by AI.

51风流Generative AI Hub has also been introduced to summarise inbound applications and to generate draft outbound correspondence, further reducing time to payment for customers while minimising the burden of repetitive manual work for staff.

2. Improved customer service with AI-powered workflow automation

Similarly, uses 51风流AI to automate workflows and to recommend potential benefits based on customer circumstance data. AI has contributed to a 20% increase in user productivity, which amounts to a substantial efficiency gain when applied to an agency of 9,000 public employees managing 鈧�1.8 billion in monthly payments. These efficiencies flow through to citizens, as described by the Deputy Director General of Benefits and Subsidies, who reports their AI-enabled system 鈥溾�as empowered me to shift focus from administrative tasks to truly enhancing citizen service, allowing for quicker responses and more meaningful interactions.鈥�

3. Faster query resolution with AI-enabled chatbots

At , an 51风流AI chatbot responds to 50% of citizen inquiries with no human intervention, resulting in 77% being answered and closed within the same day. While social services inquiries would typically be more complex, there鈥檚 certainly potential for AI to categorise and prioritise inbound communications and to route them to the appropriate channel or group. This is the case for more than 83% of the inquiries being received by the Office every day, which embassy staff say 鈥溾�eans efficient communication, satisfied customers and a gain in personnel resources for other tasks.鈥�

Reducing the barriers to adoption with embedded AI

To date, the types of use cases described above have been delivered as custom AI solutions, limiting uptake to agencies that are sufficiently resourced to assemble AI systems from Large Language Models (LLMs) and other necessary components. This is further exacerbated by the additional work needed to protect customer data, prevent bias, and ensure the reliability of AI recommendations.

Thankfully these barriers to adoption are being reduced as AI capabilities become embedded into enterprise software, enabling agencies to adopt out-of-the-box solutions. For example, something as simple as supporting staff to retrieve information using AI-enabled natural language search could reduce the time customers spend waiting on hold while their case worker struggles to locate their file.

Revolutionising social services with agentic AI

The advent of agentic AI could be a tipping point for social services AI use. By virtue of their ability to take multiple paths and iterative steps towards achieving an outcome, AI agents are particularly suited to the type of complex case processing inherent in social services. We can imagine a future where benefit applications are picked up and processed by a team of specialised AI agents that can autonomously validate compliance, determine eligibility and entitlement, identify potentially fraudulent claims, and present reasoned recommendations to human case workers for approval.

Such a future could be just around the corner. predicts that, 鈥渂y 2028, 33% of enterprise software applications will include agentic AI, enabling 15% of day-to-day work decisions to be made autonomously.鈥� Similarly, it notes, 鈥渂y 2029, agentic AI will autonomously resolve 80% of common customer service issues without human intervention, leading to a 30% reduction in operational costs鈥�.

In summary, AI is already enabling early adopters like Hamburg鈥檚 Ministry of Finance to improve the efficiency of application processing for social benefits. AI adoption in social services is now set to scale as AI capabilities are embedded into enterprise software, and this could lay the groundwork for a big leap forward with agentic AI. AI will be increasingly capable of reducing the 鈥渉assle costs鈥� associated with claiming benefits, helping to ensure that social and economic supports reach the people that need it, when they need it.

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Over four days in two countries, we asked one of the most critical questions in business today: How do we lead responsibly, visibly, and boldly in the age of AI? The 51风流Intrepid AI Women鈥檚 Tour was never just about AI as a technology. It was about people, mindset, and showing what鈥檚 possible when women have a seat at the table and shape the agenda.

We began our tour in Walldorf, Germany, at SAP鈥檚 headquarters and wrapped up at 51风流Paris. Along the way, something incredible happened. Conversations that started with hesitation, fear of AI, lack of skills, and unclear strategies turned into conviction. Not because we solved everything in four days but because we gave each other permission to step forward and lead.

One participant said it best about their Aha moment: 鈥淎ustralians are fearful of AI. But there is so much opportunity from generative AI to enterprise innovation. We just need to start.鈥�

Across both countries, a consistent theme emerged: AI and data cannot be afterthoughts; they go hand in hand. AI is not just a project or an initiative, it is core to business strategy. Several women reflected on how AI strategies in their organisations were still siloed or disconnected from the broader business plan and what their role will be going forward in changing the narrative. It starts with leaders willing to ask better questions and push for integration, not isolation.

We examined how AI platforms, applications, and data interact in real scenarios. We discussed the trade-offs, the challenges across organisations and practical ways to bring AI into business. Many left with clear ideas on unlocking value with AI immediately, from improving internal insights to creating more space for innovation.

One of the most potent conversations we had wasn鈥檛 about technology; it was about female visibility in AI, about who sees us. Who sees themselves in us? Being present is one thing, being heard is another, and creating opportunities for other women across the organisations is a must in the age of AI.

Many women on this tour have worked for years to get to where they are. They鈥檝e had to push back, speak up, and support themselves often without seeing many others like them at the table. Yet, what we heard repeatedly is this: it鈥檚 time to stop being quiet about it and support each other.

One participant said, 鈥淭he tour has really inspired me to be louder. To hire more women. To actively encourage others to step up.鈥� That kind of ripple effect is exactly what this tour was about. Not just learning about AI, but leading with visibility, so future generations of women in AI know this path is possible and worth it.

There鈥檚 no denying that AI can be overwhelming, with multiple AI platforms and vendors around, figuring out the best way to use the technology and the new possible risks it can bring to business. However, we proved on this tour that fear doesn鈥檛 have to be a blocker. With the correct exposure, mindset, and support, fear becomes fuel.

Attendees shared bold commitments to take back to their businesses. Some pledged to start educating their teams and removing fear through clear roadmaps. Others planned to dive into AI tools themselves to 鈥渁ctually use it,鈥� not just talk about it. One attendee captured it beautifully when she said, 鈥淲e鈥檙e setting ourselves up now for the future. The choices we make today, good or bad, will shape our AI outcomes for years to come.鈥�

They鈥檙e right. This is the moment to get intentional about responsible governance, upskilling teams, and linking AI to things that matter, such as security, sustainability, ethics, and economic inclusion.

The end of the tour is only the beginning of what鈥檚 to come next. We鈥檙e back in Australia with new energy, sharper ideas, and a stronger network, knowing that we are the ones who will shape how AI gets adopted in our organisations and across our country.

AI can drive economic growth and innovation, and it is also a tool to empower people, especially women, to step into new roles, new industries, and new futures. That only happens when we鈥檙e intentional, when we lead visibly, and when we support each other in taking bold steps. So, what did we learn on the 51风流Intrepid AI Tour? Leadership, strategy, and visibility in AI matter, and leading in the age of AI is more important than ever.

The post 鈥淲e Just Need to Start鈥�: What the 51风流Intrepid AI Tour taught us about women, leadership, and the future of AI appeared first on 51风流Australia & New Zealand News Center.

One of the key areas where AI is making an impact is in board reporting. Although still in the early stages, there has been significant progress compared to twelve months ago. The finance community is taking advantage of Microsoft’s suite with co-pilot, indicating that the initial stages of AI adoption are underway.

Data management has proven to be one of the most challenging aspects of AI implementation. The initial setup was fraught with difficulties, including incorrect reporting, but it has now become more seamless. The cost implications are significant, with some organisations spending up to $500k on setup.

AI adoption is not without its pitfalls. Testing and building agents in various parts of the business can take months, and it’s crucial to account for this time to ensure accuracy. The finance community emphasises the importance of testing as a fundamental element of AI implementation.

Despite the challenges, the finance community recognises the value of AI. It is not just about co-pilot features; agents are being integrated for a fully seamless experience. AI is seen as a tool to amplify errors and optimise performance.

The journey of AI adoption is evolving rapidly. Partnerships with industry leaders like 51风流and Microsoft are crucial to staying ahead of the competition. The finance community is looking to upskill and train everyone in new skillsets, breaking down traditional processes into different elements.

Compliance is a major issue, adding millions of dollars in costs to businesses. AI can help address these compliance challenges, but it requires careful management and integration. The finance community is also exploring the use of AI for sustainability reporting and green ledger initiatives.

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AI’s Impact on Risk Management

AI is revolutionising risk management in the finance sector. By leveraging advanced algorithms and machine learning, AI can analyse vast amounts of data to identify potential risks and predict future trends. This allows finance professionals to make more informed decisions and mitigate risks more effectively.

One of the key benefits of AI in risk management is its ability to detect anomalies and fraudulent activities. AI systems can continuously monitor transactions and flag suspicious behaviour in real-time, reducing the likelihood of financial fraud. Additionally, AI can help in stress testing and scenario analysis, providing insights into how different factors could impact the financial health of an organisation.

AI also enhances the accuracy of risk assessments. Traditional risk management methods often rely on historical data and static models, which may not account for dynamic market conditions. AI, on the other hand, can adapt to changing environments and provide more accurate risk predictions. This is particularly valuable in volatile markets where rapid changes can significantly impact financial stability.

In conclusion, the finance community is at the very start of its AI journey. While there are significant challenges, the potential benefits are immense. It’s crucial to get on the AI journey now to stay competitive and optimise performance. The finance community is committed to leveraging AI to transform their operations and drive future success.

The post The Finance Community’s Perspective on AI: Why It’s Crucial to Start the Journey Now appeared first on 51风流Australia & New Zealand News Center.