ANZ Businesses Boost AI Adoption to Drive Innovation and Growth
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a fundamental component of operational processes within Australian businesses across various sectors. SAP has identified five key AI use cases that are gaining traction among its customers in Australia and New Zealand, marking a transition from peripheral applications to mainstream business functions. The most prevalent applications of AI include automated expense generation through receipt images, automated invoice processing, expense verification and compliance checks, real-time alerts for supply chain disruptions, and sales demand forecasting driven by predictive analytics. Angela Colantuono, Managing Director of SAP Australia, noted that discussions with CEOs reveal a growing intent to integrate AI into core business operations. She emphasised that these applications enable organisations to make quicker, more informed decisions, mitigate risks, and unlock new value. However, she stressed the importance of investing equally in people and technology to fully harness AI’s potential.
Concerns regarding responsible AI adoption were raised by Dr Catriona Wallace, an AI Ethics Expert and Founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance. She highlighted that AI poses significant existential risks, yet only a small number of Australian organisations are prepared to implement it responsibly. Dr Wallace urged that to ensure AI fosters innovation, productivity, and public trust, organisations must transition from ambition to action. This involves embedding transparent, ethical, and human-centred AI frameworks before the gap between usage and governance widens. The momentum for AI and cloud technology adoption is evident among SAP’s customer base in Australia and New Zealand, which includes participants from education, manufacturing, and other sectors. La Trobe University has emerged as the first institution in Australia and New Zealand to implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, enhancing its core operations and paving the way for future AI-driven advancements. Shainal Kavar, Chief Information Officer at La Trobe University, remarked that this transformation simplifies complexity, streamlines processes, and allows staff to focus on higher-value tasks, ultimately setting the stage for embracing AI innovation. In the commercial sector, Lion, a leading brewer in Australia and New Zealand, is also advancing its adoption of cloud-based technologies through SAP solutions, implementing a clean core strategy to enhance its operational efficiency.
Categories: AI Adoption in Business, Responsible AI Frameworks, Cloud Technology Transformation
Tags: Artificial Intelligence, Operational Processes, Australian Businesses, AI Use Cases, Automated Processing, Supply Chain Disruptions, Sales Forecasting, Responsible AI, Cloud Technologies, Transformation Initiative