SAS, a specialist in data and AI solutions, has unveiled a revolutionary approach for organizations to tackle business challenges effectively. With the introduction of lightweight, industry-specific AI models available for individual licensing, SAS aims to provide organizations with readily deployable AI technology to address real-world use cases efficiently.

Chandana Gopal, research director at IDC, commented on SAS’s evolution, stating that the company is expanding its portfolio to meet broader user needs and capture market share through innovative offerings. Gopal highlighted the potential for SAS to develop models based on its core assets, talent, and IP, leveraging its extensive experience in solving industry problems for customers.

In today’s market, there is a significant focus on large language models (LLMs) for generative AI. However, LLMs represent only a small part of the modeling needs for real-world AI deployments and decision-making in businesses. SAS’s new offering moves beyond LLMs by providing industry-proven deterministic AI models for various use cases, including fraud detection, supply chain optimization, entity management, document conversation, healthcare payment integrity, and more.

Unlike traditional AI implementations, which can be complex and time-consuming, SAS’s industry-specific models are designed for quick integration, enabling organizations to operationalize trustworthy AI technology and accelerate the realization of tangible benefits.

Organizations are under pressure to compete effectively and are turning to AI to gain a competitive edge. However, staffing data science teams has become increasingly challenging due to AI skills shortages. As a result, businesses are demanding agility in using AI to solve problems and require flexible AI solutions to drive business outcomes quickly. SAS’s easy-to-use yet powerful models, tailored for the enterprise, allow organizations to leverage SAS’s decades-long leadership across industries.

The delivery of industry models as packaged offerings is one result of SAS’s commitment of $1 billion to AI-powered industry solutions. This investment builds on SAS’s long-standing focus on providing packaged solutions to address industry challenges in banking, government, healthcare, and more.

Udo Sglavo, VP for AI and Analytics at SAS, emphasized the complementarity of models to SAS’s existing solutions and SAS Viya platform offerings, catering to diverse business needs across various audiences. He highlighted that by tailoring their approach to understanding specific industry needs, SAS’s frameworks empower businesses to succeed in their unique environments.

SAS is democratizing AI by offering out-of-the-box, lightweight AI models, making AI accessible regardless of skill set. The company’s first offering in this direction is an AI assistant for warehouse space optimization, designed to cater to non-technical users and aid in faster planning decisions.

Sglavo stated, “SAS Models provide organizations with flexible, timely, and accessible AI solutions that align with industry challenges. Whether you’re starting your AI journey or looking to expand AI across your enterprise, SAS offers unmatched depth and breadth to address your business’s unique needs.”

The first SAS Models are expected to be generally available later this year.