As the global conversation around artificial intelligence shifts from capability to responsibility, SAS is stepping onto the world stage at GITEX GLOBAL 2025 to champion ethical, transparent, and trustworthy AI adoption. During our conversation with Celal Kavuklu, Director of Customer Advisory for Middle East, Turkiye and Africa, SAS, we discussed how SAS is influencing the AI landscape with a balanced approach to integrity, innovation, and impact.
In what ways are Physical AI and AIoT accelerating innovation and driving meaningful change across sectors and communities worldwide?
Physical AI and AIoT are rapidly transforming the global industrial and societal landscape by bridging the gap between digital intelligence and real-world applications. At SAS, we see this convergence as a pivotal force in reshaping how businesses operate, how cities function, and how individuals interact with technology.
Physical AI, the embodiment of AI in machines and robotics, is revolutionizing sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and agriculture. From autonomous robots in warehouses to AI-assisted surgical systems, these technologies are enhancing precision, safety, and efficiency at scale.
AIoT, the fusion of AI with the Internet of Things, is enabling real-time decision-making at the edge. In industries such as energy, transportation, and smart cities, AIoT is optimizing resource usage, reducing downtime, and improving predictive maintenance. For example, SAS solutions are being used to analyze sensor data from smart grids and connected vehicles, enabling proactive interventions and smarter infrastructure planning.
Together, Physical AI and AIoT are not just driving operational improvements; they are catalyzing entirely new business models and societal benefits. They empower organizations to move from reactive to predictive and prescriptive strategies, unlocking value from data in ways previously unimaginable.
There are already many applications of AIoT, from aviation, where Lockheed Martin used predictive maintenance models that forecasted a 2,000-hour reduction in downtime, to wildlife conservation, where non-invasive monitoring of endangered species is conducted through digital images of their footprints.
At SAS, we are committed to advancing these technologies responsibly, ensuring they are explainable, ethical, and aligned with human-centric goals.
What role should governments and regulators play in building a secure, robust AI ecosystem that drives progress for businesses and individuals?
Governments are not just regulators; they are enablers, conveners, and stewards of a future where AI serves the public good.
Together with regulators, they play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI by creating the frameworks that ensure innovation is both responsible and inclusive. At SAS, we believe that a secure and robust AI ecosystem must be built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and accountability, and public institutions are uniquely positioned to lead this effort.
First, governments must establish clear, adaptive regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation while safeguarding against misuse. This includes setting standards for data privacy, algorithmic fairness, explainability, and cybersecurity. Regulations should be agile enough to evolve with the pace of technological change, yet firm in protecting citizens’ rights and societal values.
Second, public sector leadership is essential in fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and civil society. By investing in AI research, education, and public-private partnerships, governments can accelerate the development of local talent and innovation ecosystems that are aligned with national priorities.
Third, governments should lead by example by adopting AI in public services to improve efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. We work closely with government agencies around the world to deploy AI solutions in areas such as healthcare, transportation, and public safety, demonstrating the transformative potential of data-driven governance.
Finally, to support national sovereignty, governments must retain full control over their data and infrastructure while ensuring that AI development aligns with local laws, values, and strategic goals.
What proprietary AI platforms or innovations are you highlighting at GITEX GLOBAL, and in what ways are they driving operational transformation across industries?
At GITEX GLOBAL, SAS will showcase the transformative power of SAS Viya—our cloud-native, end-to-end data and AI platform designed to accelerate innovation, simplify AI development, and drive real business outcomes. SAS Viya empowers organizations to operationalize AI at scale, enabling faster, more confident decision-making across industries. Key highlights of our presence at GITEX include:
· Live demonstrations of SAS Viya in action, showing how our platform integrates data preparation, model building, deployment, and monitoring into a seamless, collaborative environment—whether in the cloud or on-premises.
· Cross-industry AI solutions that address real-world challenges in sectors such as banking, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. From fraud detection and risk modeling to demand forecasting and citizen services, we’ll illustrate how AI is delivering measurable impact.
· Customer success stories and use cases that highlight how organizations are using SAS to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new revenue streams.
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
SAS is a global leader in data and AI. With SAS software and industry-specific solutions, organizations transform data into trusted decisions. We empower customers to get more done with faster, more productive data and AI. SAS proudly supports customers across industries, including banking, capital markets, communication, education, energy and utilities, government, health care, insurance, retail, and others. Ranked No. 1 in the Worldwide Advanced and Predictive Analytics Market Share by IDC for the last 30 years and recognized as a leader in 47 analyst evaluations ranking reports in 2024. In addition, 92% of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies or their affiliates are SAS customers.
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