The recent surge in GenAI adoption highlights both its promise and challenges. Many companies are beginning to see tangible benefits by applying GenAI to specific use cases but widespread implementation faces hurdles, says Shukri Dabaghi, senior VP — EMEA Emerging Markets & Asia Pacific, SAS. In this interview, he talks to Sudhir Chowdhary about the role of data analytics and SAS’ strategy to support various industries. Edited excerpts:
How does your approach to GenAI differ from other players?
At SAS, our AI strategy is leveraging GenAI through our Viya 4 platform to empower organisations with great productivity and efficiency gains. Unlike traditional approaches, SAS Gen AI solutions integrate advanced analytics and domain-specific knowledge to deliver validated and ethical AI models tailored to our customers’ needs. By combining GenAI with SAS Viya, we enable organisations to derive actionable intelligence swiftly and effectively. This means providing answers that are not just comprehensive but also directly applicable to specific business challenges. SAS distinguishes itself in the Gen AI landscape by delivering solutions that are both powerful and purposeful, driving measurable value and promoting a culture of data-driven excellence.
Why is data analytics becoming important across industries?
Analytics transforms organisations into resilient and agile entities. Strategic use of analytics, such as with SAS Viya, empowers companies to optimise processes, anticipate market changes, and quickly respond to customer demands. Leveraging AI-driven insights, organisations can personalise customer interactions, forecast trends, and innovate rapidly, which is vital in fast-paced industries. Analytics also ensures compliance and effective risk management, crucial in regulatory environments like that of India. Embracing analytics not only ensures survival but also instills a profound sense of reassurance and confidence to thrive in competitive global markets.
What new facets are favouring your growth in the Indian market?
Our trajectory in the Indian market has been spectacular, driven by robust double-digit growth and a commitment to innovation. India’s market size and forward-thinking approach in data and AI adoption are notable globally. There’s a strong appetite among Indian enterprises to explore and adopt cutting-edge solutions. Our investment in the region, including our second-largest R&D centre after the US, underscores our confidence in India’s capabilities to drive innovation.
The key to our success lies in understanding the unique needs of Indian enterprises, many of which manage customer bases that surpass global standards by orders of magnitude. Whether in banking, or in insurance, Indian organisations face the challenge of catering to diverse and rapidly evolving consumer preferences. AI and data analytics have thus become strategic imperatives, helping businesses to understand and fulfill market demands effectively.
What strategies is SAS employing to tap new customer segments in India?
Our approach in India revolves around understanding our customers’ challenges and delivering tailored solutions that drive tangible business outcomes. We support revenue assurance and fraud detection in the government sector. Similarly, financial institutions rely on SAS to crunch vast amounts of data rapidly and develop complex models supporting critical decision-making processes.
