SAP CFO Highlights Need for Advanced AI Applications Beyond Chatbots
SAP's Chief Financial Officer, Dominik Asam, emphasized that artificial intelligence in enterprise software must evolve beyond chatbots and coding tools to deliver meaningful returns. Speaking after SAP’s second-quarter results, he noted that most current AI usage is concentrated on low-risk applications where errors have minimal impact. However, applying AI to complex business processes like finance or supply chain management requires higher reliability due to the compounding risks of errors across multiple steps. Asam argued that achieving value from AI lies in embedding it into specific workflows with clean and governed data rather than relying solely on powerful general-purpose models. He warned against expecting AI to solve issues stemming from messy, legacy data systems without proper preparation. The CFO also highlighted the importance of cost efficiency, suggesting companies should prioritize reliable tools—whether simple software or open-source models—that deliver safe outcomes over expensive frontier models. The remarks reflect a broader industry challenge: despite significant investment in generative AI, tangible productivity gains remain elusive for many enterprises.
Tickers: $SAP
Topics: AI business processes data governance enterprise software