SAP to Integrate Joule AI Copilot into More Enterprise Applications and Explore Microsoft Copilot Partnership

SAP is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence into its enterprise cloud solutions. At the Sapphire customer conference, the company announced plans to expand access to its Joule AI copilot across more applications, including SAP Ariba and SAP Analytics Cloud, by the end of this year. Additionally, SAP will integrate Joule with Microsoft Copilot to enhance AI training using content from Microsoft 365.

“Today’s AI announcements reflect our commitment to deliver groundbreaking technology that generates real-world results, empowering customers with the agility they need to thrive in a fast-paced business environment,” said Christian Klein, SAP’s CEO.

Launched in September 2023, Joule functions similarly to Microsoft’s Copilot, supporting desktop and mobile platforms. During its launch, SAP envisioned Joule as a tool to optimize outcomes for both individuals and organizations.

SAP has quickly expanded Joule’s capabilities within its enterprise cloud applications. Initially integrated with SAP SuccessFactors and SAP Start, Joule is now embedded in SAP S/4HANA Cloud (both public and private editions), the Customer Data Platform, BTP Cockpit, Build, Build Code, and Integration Suite. By the second half of 2024, Joule will also be integrated into SAP Ariba, Analytics Cloud, and various undisclosed supply chain management solutions.

With Joule integrated into SAP Ariba, sourcing managers will efficiently create supplier proposals using AI-driven recommendations that consider cost-effectiveness, carbon footprint, compliance regulations, and historical transactions.

Moreover, SAP plans to enhance Joule’s functionality by introducing multilingual support, which will allow it to process queries in German, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, in addition to English. This update reflects SAP’s commitment to serving its global customer base.

To augment Joule’s capabilities, SAP will integrate it with Microsoft Copilot, facilitating a “bi-directional integration” that allows employees to access information seamlessly across both SAP and Microsoft applications. While the timeline for this integration remains unclear, it will enhance the user experience for those who prefer either AI assistant.

In addition to these developments, SAP has announced new partnerships aimed at enriching its AI offerings. The company is integrating Amazon Bedrock into its AI Core platform and will upgrade its Graviton chips to AWS Trainium and Inferentia. SAP is also collaborating with Google Cloud’s Gemini and the Cortex Framework, as well as Meta’s Llama AI model and Mistral AI’s large language models. Dr. Philipp Herzig, SAP’s Chief AI Officer, emphasized the importance of a flexible and open architecture, stating, “We want to select the best technology for the right purpose,” reflecting customer demand for top-tier AI models.