SAS unveils digital twins, Viya upgrades & sector AI models
SAS has announced a series of updates spanning digital twins, the SAS Viya platform, AI agents, quantum AI, custom models, and AI governance resources.
The company has worked with Epic Games' Unreal Engine to bolster its digital twins technology, bringing 3D visualisations to industrial processes.
This collaboration allows businesses to simulate strategies in digital environments and see the impact of changes before implementation. Manufacturing firm Georgia-Pacific is among the users employing this approach to better understand complex data and automate their systems.
Alongside the digital twins initiative, SAS has introduced enhancements to its SAS Viya platform. These updates are designed to improve business productivity and empower decision-making. The new offerings on the SAS Viya platform support businesses in using AI capabilities to address operational challenges.
With comprehensive data and analytics features, the platform aims to make analytics accessible for professionals with a wide range of skill levels.
SAS has also unveiled developments in its agentic AI technology with SAS intelligent decisioning.
The new AI agents feature is intended to create environments where AI systems can render decisions and take action with minimal or no human involvement.
Organisations are able to design, deploy and scale these agents while ensuring outcomes meet both business and regulatory standards. SAS commented, "Imagine a future where AI systems render decisions and take action with little to no human intervention. SAS is building the agentic AI future with SAS intelligent decisioning, empowering organisations to design, deploy, and scale AI agents, ensuring accurate outcomes while adhering to business and regulatory standards."
The company also published findings from a global study on quantum AI adoption.
According to SAS, more than 60% of surveyed organisations are investing in quantum AI technologies. The survey indicates a significant interest in the potential of quantum computing, but also points to challenges and barriers that businesses are encountering. SAS stated, "Quantum computing and quantum AI are becoming significant focus points for businesses, with more than 60% of respondents from a global study indicating they're actively investing in quantum AI. Despite this, businesses are facing crucial barriers."
"With its extensive data and AI knowledge, SAS supports businesses by providing guidance, conducting research, and working with leaders and companies in the quantum space."
SAS is expanding its portfolio of AI models, having announced a new collection tailored to specific industries as part of its most recent USD $1 billion investment in sector-specific solutions. The new models are intended for sectors including banking, healthcare, manufacturing and the public sector.
These are designed to help organisations of all sizes to improve productivity and return on investment while meeting standards for responsible innovation. SAS said, "In its latest wave of $1 billion investment in industry solutions, SAS has announced a new selection of AI models across key sectors, including banking, healthcare, manufacturing and the public sector. Organisations of all sizes and skillsets can create models to boost productivity and return on investment, while adhering to the highest standards of responsible innovation."
With AI adoption advancing rapidly, SAS is also introducing governance resources aimed at helping organisations address AI-related risks and regulatory requirements.
The launch of the SAS AI Governance Map enables organisations to assess their current AI governance maturity and plans forward. SAS said, "As AI accelerates the pace and proliferation of innovation, the need for AI governance has never been more urgent."
"To support organisations in confidently navigating AI governance, SAS has launched the AI Governance Map, helping organisations assess their AI governance maturity and build a clear path forward, removing barriers to adoption, and successful implementation."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
End of the road for Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua
Jonathan Taumateine of Moana Pasifika, Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika. Photo: Photosport / Elias Rodriguez Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua ended their campaigns in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition with big losses on Saturday night. Fighting to consolidate their sixth spot in the competition standing against the Hurricanes at the Sky Stadium in Wellington, Moana Pasifika were well and truly beaten by the hosts 64-12. It was their second consecutive loss in two weekends, having also fallen to the Chiefs in Hamilton a weekend earlier. A few minutes later, the Fijian Drua also suffered the same fate, this time beaten 52-7 by Queensland Reds in Brisbane. The results meant Moana Pasifika finished their 2025 season at seventh on the points standing, their best finish since they made their debut in 2022. The Drua, who had made two quarterfinal appearances in the last two years, ended their campaign at 10th position, one place above wooden spoon holders, the Highlanders. With over 20,000 fans on the stands, the game kicked off with alot of excitement and expectations in the air. Moana Pasifika struck first, through number eight Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, who finished off over the line. But that was all they could register on the board in the first 40 minutes, as the Hurricanes turned the pressure up and led 28-7 at the halftime break. Despite captain Ardie Savea winning a number of turnover balls, the North Harbour based side could not find their way through the tight Hurricanes defensive line. Savea scored one try in the second spell but it was not enough to make any real difference on the scoreboard. He told Stan Sports after the game he was proud of what the team was able to achieve this year, especially with over 20,000 fans turning up to watch the game. He also pointed to divine help as the team's strength. "Obviously the score looks like it's blown out but I just want to take this time out to give glory to the man above," he said. "My brothers here, you know, everyone doubted us, God believed in us. "These boys came together and we all came together. I've come home and it's a special place for me with the Hurricanes fans and the Moana fans, that means to much to me and it's close to my heart. "For these boys to come here and do something for New Zealand Rugby and the Super Rugby competition, it's a blessing in itself." Savea received his 2025 Super Rugby Pacific award after the game as well. Some critical moments of the game, that went against Moana in the game included an intercepted backline passing movement which Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard intercepted to dash home for a try and a kick for touch by playmaker Patrick Pellegrini that sailed over the dead ball line from a penalty. That swung the momentum back to the hosts, just as the visitors were looking like making some positive shift. Assistant coach Stephen Jones said he and the team management were proud of the team, despite the loss. He pointed to their achievements, which had included beating New Zealand clubs the Highlanders, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Blues this year, plus their first back-to-back wins against the Highlanders and the Waratahs over two consecutive weekends. In his first match this year, Moana Pasifika's Lotu Inisi came off the bench in the 51st minute and quickly made an impact with his powerful carries. The loss concludes a historic season for Moana Pasifika who finished with six wins, the most they've ever won in a single season. "Incredibly proud, simple as that," he told journalists at the post-match conference. "The efforts the players had put in throughout the season, the improvements they've made," he said. "They've challenged themselves to grow their game and the emotion we have is one of pride. "Obviously we wanted the last two games to finish stronger in the campaign, that's a given but we are very very proud of this group." Moana Pasifika fans, crowd and supporters, Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika, round 16 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition. Photo: Photosport / Elias Rodriguez Jones said they had prepared well during the week, understanding what they needed to do to consolidate their top six position and the challenge that the Hurricanes posed. They needed a bonus win to secure their sixth position, after the Blues recorded a bonus point 46-6 win over the Waratahs earlier in the day. "It didn't change anything from our preparation," he said. "We knew what we wanted to do, to come down and implement our game plan." Jones said the side would only grow and get better, stating there were alot of young players who tasted Super Rugby for the first time this season, who had given their all. That, he said, would augur well for the club. "We couldn't have asked more of the boys, they have given us everything," the former Welsh international said. "I think when you look at our group and the amount of guys who were having their first taste of Super Rugby, it certainly is a challenging season. "Obviously we had a high with that Blues victory. We've asked the buys to work week in, week out and challenged them to improve their game." The Hurricanes, led by DuPlesis Kirifi, variated their game throughout, and the combination of halfback Roigard with Reuben Love proved to be a key in the team's performance. The home side were clinical across the park, running in 10 tries at the 'Caketin'. Head coach Clark Laidlaw told journalists after the game he was satisfied with the win and his team's performance, which now sends them to play the Brumbies in Canberra next weekend in one of the three elimination matches. He said they understood the threat Moana Pasifika posed for them, having lost to their visitors in Albany in an earlier round. "Yeah, delighted with the performance," he stated. "We had a really solid week. We knew the threat of Moana. "I think they have added to the competition, and the way they played have really inspired different group to be involved in the game. We had a huge amount of respect so we prepared accordingly." Laidlaw said Ardie and older brother Julian, who played together against the Hurricanes last night, were legends, having played around 300 matches combined for the capital city franchise. He said Ardie leaving the Hurricanes gave other players the opportunity to shine, which he believes is a win-win for everyone. Meanwhile, the Fijian Drua fell to the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, in their last game for the season. Captain Tevita Ikanivere and lock Isoa Nasilasila were playing their 50th Super Rugby games each, both having strong performances on the night. But the team could not find consistency in their game, as the Reds went to work early. Drua were playing for redemption more than anything else, having lost any hope of claiming a top six finish midway through the competition. The Drua opened the game at Suncorp Stadium strongly, going to work early on attack. However, they could not finish their moves and when the Reds turned the table on them, the visitors were found wanting. Centre Iosefo Masi was shown a yellow card for a tip tackle in the 10th minute and that gave the Reds the opportunity to get to work and register points. That they did straight away, as winger Lachie Anderson claiming the first of his four tries of the night. Anderson's performance means he has become the first Reds player to score four tries in a game since the professional era kicked off in 1996 and joins Joe Roff (1996) and Drew Mitchell (2010) as the only other Aussies to do so. Reds record show that not since the Reds' former Fijian winger Isei Nasiganiyavi scored five tries against Western Samoa in 1989 has a Queensland player crossed as often in a game. Anderson scored a hat-trick in the first half as the Reds led 33-0 at the break. Drua showed some hope at the resumption of the second half when prop Haeriti Hetet powered over for a try, converted by Isaiah Ravula. Flanker Etonia Waqa was sent to the sin bin and the Reds stormed home with tries to for Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Harry Wilson, Joe Brial and Ryan Smith. The win means the Reds, who finished fifth, will now meet the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday in their play-off game. Drua captain Tevita Ikanivere said they had a plan but just could not get their rythm right. "We started well but then lost our way," he said after the game. "The Reds took control and we lost the game in the end." Reds Head Coach Les Kiss knew the team was locked in for a trip to Christchurch before tonight's kick-off so he derived satisfaction from his players staying on task. "It was us continuing to develop the game we are good at. It was pretty complete," Kiss said. Skipper Tate McDermott applauded Anderson. "I've seen Lachie's journey from our days playing sevens together and how far he's come. He's shown he's a true, class winger," McDermott said. "He's a rock defensively and he's quick." The full results from the final round of regular Super Rugby Pacific matches: Chiefs 41 Highlanders 24, Crusaders 33 Brumbies 31, Blues 46 Waratahs 6, Hurricanes 64 Moana Pasifika 12, Reds 52 Fijian Drua 7. Draws for the quarterfinal: Friday - June 6: 7.05pm Crusaders (2) vs Reds (5) in Christchurch); Saturday - June 7: 7.05pm Chiefs (1) vs Blues (6) in Hamilton, 9.35pm Brumbies (3) vs Hurricanes (4) in Canberra.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Government goes for gas stake
Photo: 123rf What will the Government achieve by setting aside $200 million to try and get a small stake in a new offshore gas field? Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones announced the move in the budget last week saying the Crown would take a 10 to 15 per cent stake in a new gas field to help feed the domestic market. While electricity generators have purchased gas from the country's biggest user, Methanex, for domestic supply, other gas users such as schools and hospitals are unable to get supply contracts of more than a year, and prices are going up for everyone. But new gas fields are a huge investment, and the sector has struggled to meet demand. Mac Beggs has worked on oil and gas exploration for decades in New Zealand - he says there are two, maybe three wells that have potential.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Family business Magness Benrow still going strong at 80 years old
One of Auckland's oldest and best known family-run businesses is turning 80. Famous for their quirky radio advertisements, Magness Benrow is still going strong. The retail home appliance company was founded by engineer Roly Magness after World War II. Roly had already started Magness Sound in 1935, aged just 15. His son John has been at the helm of the business since Roly's retirement in the early 1970s. John told RNZ First Up's Nathan Rarere that his father worked as a refrigeration engineer during the Second World War, conscripted to maintain the equipment on US warships that came to New Zealand. "And on Armistice Day he walked out, started his own business, and started making refrigerators a couple of years later. "It all went from there. He had the sound systems, Magness Sound which has run longer than the retail arm." Magness Sound is still operating, and is run by John's brother, Peter Magness. "We've done the sound with the Auckland Trotting Club for 72 years, did Around the Bays, all the Grand Prix and things like that for many, many years and they're still going." John said when his father was making refrigerators he had about 30 people working for him, at a factory in Eden Terrace behind the shops. Newspaper advertising was costly at the time. Photo: Papers Past "He could fix anything," John said. He remembers Roly serving the community through his seat on the Auckland Regional Authority both before and after handing the reins of the company to his sons. But it was not a career path John had thought about. "I didn't really care. I was more into sport and things like that. And the very first job interview I got was with Radio New Zealand. "I had the job, walked up the first morning, and the boss walked down and said, 'You can't work here because your father's in the industry'. "And out the door I went. I lasted five minutes." John has been with Magness Benrow full time since the mid-1960s. "It's a long time. I always remember the first day I went to Form 1. College. "The old man came home that night, he said, 'What time did you get home?' I said '10 to five'. "He said, 'When you walk up Khyber Pass tomorrow, instead of turning right for the bus,' (the shop was still in Eden Terrace) he said, 'Come down and you can start working for me'. "Didn't pay me. But I never thought to ask either." First Up presenter Nathan Rarere with Magness Benrow's John Magness. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro By 1988, Magness had taken over Benrow Appliances to become Magness Benrow. These days, and in the past couple of decades, most Aucklanders will know Magness Benrow through its long history of advertising on the radio. "We'd done a lot of paper advertising, and nearly went broke with the paper advertising at that time," John told First Up . "I cancelled that and went back to radio advertising, which I've done ever since. I always remember Phil Shone [1ZB breakfast announcer of 1940s and 1950s], he said, 'John, you'll never own the radio waves like your father. "I probably do, but it's cost a hell of a lot more." Magness Benrow's radio commercials star John and his offsider Adrienne Harrison, who joined the company in 1978. "We send in a little script," John said. "They have a couple of writers that've chopped and changed over the years. "And then when I get bored saying them, I say whatever I feel like. Or [Adrienne] does if she wants to cut me down. But no, they've gone very well and been very successful." John Magness put the company's longevity and success down to customer and staff loyalty. John Magness at Magness Benrow. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro "We've been very lucky. So many of the people that have bought over the years keep coming back. And that, you know, gives you great thrill. "I recently had a woman a couple of months ago, came in and said, 'John I need a new fridge'. She said 'I might as well have a washing machine at the same time. "She said, 'I've always bought everything from you'. I said, 'Oh, that's good'. "When we went [to her home], her old fridge was 1972 and the washing machine was 1968." A newspaper advertisement for Magness Refrigerators. Photo: Papers Past A key reason for the Magness Benrow's success, John said, is the women who have helped run the business. "Yvonne Boyd... Lynn Hardy and then Adrienne. In a company you've got to have that person that has got a memory and wants to work. "Those three ladies probably had more to do with the success of the company than anyone else. More than me, more than anyone." And what do New Zealanders buy a lot of? John Magness said they go through dishwashers. "People sometimes wait a week to get a new fridge when the fridge packs up. But if the dishwasher doesn't go two nights in a row..." As for the future of Magness Benrow, John said he has two children in the company, but he's not forcing them to stay. "If they want to do it, it's there. I think that's the big thing in life. Not leaving your kids a requirement, but something that, if they enjoy it... they will be very different to run it, to what I am. So be it." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
