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SAS makes $1 billion investment in AI to focus on R&D innovation

Software giant SAS is making an investment of $1
billion in artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming three years through software
innovation, education, and expert services.

The latest investment builds on SAS’ already solid
focus in AI which includes advanced analytics, deep learning, machine learning,
natural language processing, and computer vision.

The move will focus on three main areas: research and development
innovation, where SAS is building on the success of its global AI efforts;
education initiatives that address customer needs to understand AI better and
benefit from it; and expert services to optimise customer return on AI
projects.          

SAS is making investment in R&D innovation in all primary
areas of AI, with a special focus to benefit users with different skill levels,
ranging from business experts to data engineers to data scientists. The company
is immersing AI capabilities into the SAS Platform and solutions for data
management, customer intelligence, fraud and security intelligence and risk
management, as well as applications for industries including financial
services, government, health care, manufacturing and retail.

The company is continuing to team up with innovative
companies and technology providers like Accenture, Cisco Deloitte, Intel, and
NVIDIA. This work brings the latest advances and practices in AI and machine
learning to customers, and ensures SAS AI technologies perform optimally in
customers’ hardware and cloud environments.

“At SAS, we remain dedicated to our customers and
their success, and this investment is another example of that commitment,” said
SAS CEO Jim Goodnight in a statement. “With our innovative capabilities in AI,
SAS helps businesses deter damaging fraud, fight deadly disease, better manage
risk, provide exemplary service to customers and citizens, and much more.”

This is by no means the largest amount staked in this arena in recent months. Chinese AI startup SenseTime Group is looking to raise about $2 billion in fresh funding in 2019. The Beijing-based firm had raised over $1.2 billion in 2018, including a round announced in May, valued at over $4.5 billion. The funding from firms including Fidelity International, Silver Lake Partners and Hopu Capital followed a deal to sell a stake to Qualcomm in 2017 that valued SenseTime at over $1.5 billion.

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