Beyond the Hype: How SAP Connect UAE is Redefining Enterprise AI Through Core Systems

The conversation around Artificial Intelligence has officially shifted from speculative hype to practical, large-scale implementation. At the recent SAP Connect UAE event held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, the focus wasn't just on what AI could do, but how it is being hardwired into the very systems that run the world’s most complex organizations. As UAE businesses accelerate their growth agendas, the message from SAP was clear: the future of AI isn't found in standalone apps, but within the core ERP systems that manage finance, supply chains, and human resources.

The Shift Toward AI-Enabled ERP Foundations

New research commissioned by SAP and conducted by YouGov among chief IT decision-makers in the UAE highlights a significant trend. Organizations are no longer viewing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems as mere databases; they are seeing them as the primary engines for AI adoption. According to the study, 53% of respondents stated that their ERP system already serves as the main platform enabling AI-driven processes and decisions. An additional 32% noted that their ERP supports AI across several core functions, meaning a staggering 85% of leaders are looking to their core systems to lead the charge in intelligence.

This isn't a coincidence. For AI to be effective at an enterprise level, it requires high-quality, integrated data. By embedding AI directly into the ERP, businesses can move away from siloed information and toward a unified environment where every decision is backed by real-time insights.

Moving Toward the ‘Autonomous Enterprise’

During the keynote sessions, Marwan Zeineddine, Managing Director of SAP UAE, introduced a compelling vision for the future: the Autonomous Enterprise. He explained that as organizations scale, the focus is shifting toward embedding intelligence directly into core systems.

“With the rise of agentic AI, businesses are beginning to move toward what SAP calls the ‘Autonomous Enterprise,’ where AI can support the more autonomous execution of tasks and processes while keeping people firmly in control,” Zeineddine noted. This approach ensures that while AI handles the heavy lifting of data processing and routine execution, human leadership remains the final arbiter of strategy and ethics.

Confidence in the Digital Foundation

The research also revealed a high level of trust in existing technology stacks. Approximately 50% of IT leaders expressed they are “very confident” that their current ERP and enterprise platforms can support advanced AI and automation over the next two years, with another 40% feeling “somewhat confident.” This baseline of trust allows companies to innovate faster, focusing on value drivers like operational efficiency (cited by 45% of respondents), faster decision-making (44%), and improved employee productivity (41%).

Real-World Success: UAE Leaders Leading the Way

The event showcased several high-profile UAE organizations that are already deep into this transformation. These aren't just pilot programs; they are fundamental shifts in how these companies operate.

RAK Ceramics: Under the leadership of Group CEO Abdallah Massaad, the global giant is utilizing RISE with SAP to create a modern cloud-based digital core. Massaad explained that this transition provides the visibility and consistency needed to embed AI into core processes, driving data-driven outcomes across their global footprint.

EMSTEEL: Vladimir Arshinov, Group Chief Technology Officer at EMSTEEL, shared how their move to a unified cloud-based platform is strengthening their ability to make faster, better-informed decisions. For EMSTEEL, the goal is long-term resilience and the ability to scale intelligent automation as the business grows.

Grandiose (Ghassan Aboud Group): For a business spanning retail, manufacturing, and catering, unification is everything. CEO Mussaab Aboud emphasized that moving to a single SAP platform allows for stronger coordination across the supply chain. This foundation is essential for the future integration of SAP Business AI, which will help the company respond quickly to evolving customer demands.

Jumbo Group: Having recently completed a transition to SAP S/4HANA, Jumbo Group has unified its core business functions. A spokesperson for the group highlighted that this move provides a clear, real-time view of operations, enabling the agility needed to scale innovation and improve efficiency across the entire organization.

The Path Forward: Integration Over Isolation

The takeaway from SAP Connect UAE is that the next phase of the AI revolution will be defined by integration. Businesses are moving away from deploying AI as a standalone capability and are instead weaving it into the fabric of everyday business processes. By uniting applications, data, and AI within a single environment, UAE enterprises are not just keeping up with market changes—they are positioning themselves to lead them.

As we look toward 2026 and beyond, the companies that succeed will be those that have built their AI strategy on a robust, cloud-based digital core, ensuring that every part of the business—from the warehouse to the boardroom—is powered by the same intelligent insights.