PwC launches AI Centre of Excellence in Southeast Asia with focus on SAP technology

PwC has announced it will establish an AI Centre of Excellence in Southeast Asia, focused on designing, developing and launching AI-driven innovations.

The new AI Centre of Excellence is being setup by PwC’s consulting business, and is being developed in collaboration with SAP, one of the world’s largest software companies for enterprises and large businesses.

According to a statement from PwC and SAP, the new innovation hub will access to experts from both companies, with the goal of delivering value to customers in three areas: uncovering opportunities to improve business processes; unlocking innovation potential through accelerated digital transformation; and building prototype technology solutions that can be tried and tested prior to scaling.

SAP will inject a number of AI-focused technologies into the Centre of Excellence, most notably SAP Business AI, which comprises a suite of industry-specific and domain-specific applications. Other technologies include Joule, SAP’s AI co-pilot for business, and applications with embedded AI such as SAP Cash Application and SAP Business Integrity Screening.

PwC said that it will also team up with SAP in the centre to develop end-to-end solutions for key back-office business processes, such as Procure to Pay, Order to Cash, Record to Report, and Hire to Retire.

Alongside AI and SAP capabilities, PwC said it will bring in a full range of related services to the Centre of Excellence, to ensure that complex client demands are fully met. This includes expertise in areas such as digital strategy, data & analytics, data management, ethical and regulatory compliance, risk management, IT outsourcing, and more.

The Southeast Asia hub will serve PwC’s consulting teams in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam. The region is led by Simon Gealy, a veteran of the business.

Earlier this year, PwC also launched an AI Centre of Excellence in Australia. The hubs are part of PwC’s global investment roadmap to beefing up its AI capabilities.