SAS, the analytics company, hosted an exclusive gathering of industry and thought leaders in Riyadh on November 16, 2022, with a focus on sustainability. The event, held at the Nofa Resort, sparked a discussion about how to achieve long-term progress and highlighted the importance of advanced analytics and AI.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia prioritizes both economic growth and environmental preservation, with Vision 2030 serving as an inspiring, long-term Saudi vision for the Kingdom, the region, and the world. One of the key pillars for realizing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is the National Strategy for Digital Transformation, which is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Kingdom has established specific goals for transforming into a digital society and economy by utilizing data as a national asset. Data and artificial intelligence (AI) have already produced remarkable results, particularly in disaster management, road safety, and energy consumption management.
Climate risk assessment is critical for ensuring that organizations and industries such as banking, manufacturing, and agriculture have the resources they require to deal with the undeniable threat posed by climate change. However, this pressing issue can only be addressed by utilizing innovation, cutting-edge technology, and cultivating the right talent.
The event’s compelling keynote speakers and panel discussions revealed that AI and advanced analytics have enormous potential. SAS analytics and AI solutions transform data into intelligence that drives progress, from solving the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) puzzle to improving decision-making and accelerating digital transformation across all industries. As digitalization may introduce new risks, the event demonstrated how AI and Advanced Analytics can help financial institutions stay ahead of evolving fraud schemes and combat financial crime more effectively.
Bader Bahaian, Country Manager, KSA at SAS, said: “Saudi Arabia has already entered a new era. Vision 2030, in conjunction with the ambitious goal of reaching net-zero by 2060, places sustainability at the heart of everything the Kingdom does, from policy development and investment to planning and infrastructure. SAS is confident that solutions grounded in science and data can accelerate future growth towards a more sustainable path. The power of AI, when combined with human ingenuity, has the potential to make a difference.”
“SAS has always been an organization of problem-solvers led by curiosity, and our goal is to cement our position as the catalyst for digital transformation throughout the region,” Ravi Acharya, Managing Director and Regional Head of SAS Middle East, Turkiye and Africa, noted. “As a long-standing pioneer in Analytics and AI, SAS supports governments, financial institutions, telcos and businesses in driving innovation for better decisions and business outcomes. By harnessing the power of data, businesses can reorient, reinvent, and redefine themselves, taking measurable steps towards a better, more sustainable world.”
SAS will continue to assist businesses in the Kingdom in making better, data-driven decisions, accelerating growth and innovation, and building a better future. SAS empowers companies to align with evolving business goals and advance in their digital transformation journey, which is a key component of Saudi Vision 2030, through ongoing breakthroughs in data analytics, cloud, AI, and decisioning. SAS is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and it collaborates closely with employees, suppliers, and customers to reduce its environmental footprint through initiatives such as energy conservation, emissions management, pollution mitigation, water conservation, and green building.
