SAP Joule: the generative AI copilot for SAP

SAP has introduced a new way of working with its applications: a generative AI copilot called Joule. Far more than a chatbot, Joule is designed to simplify everyday tasks, deliver business insights in natural language, and ultimately change the way people interact with SAP systems.

The choice of name is intentional. Inspired by physicist James Prescott Joule, the assistant reflects the idea that users should spend less energy navigating complex processes. With Joule, SAP aims to give employees faster answers, streamlined workflows, and better support for decision-making without forcing them to learn the technical details of the system underneath.

At its core, Joule works conversationally. Users can ask questions such as “Which invoices are still unpaid?” or “Show me last month’s purchase orders,” and the system responds with relevant, process-aware answers. What makes it stand out from generic AI tools is that Joule is not an add-on; it is embedded inside SAP’s ecosystem. Its intelligence is grounded in SAP’s deep business process knowledge, ensuring that the results are aligned with enterprise data and context.

Joule’s functionality is built around “agents”—autonomous components that can execute multi-step tasks across different applications. These agents are designed to understand workflows spanning areas like HR, procurement, finance, or supply chain. Organizations can also extend Joule themselves through Joule Studio, available in SAP Build, which allows them to create custom skills tailored to their own processes. This means Joule can evolve with the specific needs of a business, rather than remaining a one-size-fits-all solution.

The assistant is being woven throughout SAP’s portfolio. It is already live in applications such as SAP SuccessFactors and SAP Analytics Cloud, and it is gradually being integrated across SAP’s wider cloud suite. Through SAP Mobile Start, Joule is also available on mobile devices, ensuring that employees can interact with their systems in natural language wherever they are.

Consultants are another focus area. SAP recently introduced Joule for Consultants, giving professionals access to curated SAP content like Activate methodology, SAP Notes, and knowledge base articles, all through a conversational interface. It also includes features like multi-language support, conversation history, and collaborative tools, making it easier to deliver projects more efficiently.

Looking ahead, the roadmap for 2025 centers on expanding Joule’s reach and deepening its capabilities. Joule Studio became generally available this year, marking an important milestone in enabling organizations to build their own AI-powered extensions. SAP has also committed to rolling out more agents, tighter integration into customer systems, and richer support for consultants throughout the year.

In many ways, Joule represents the future of SAP. Rather than forcing users to adapt to complex software, the software adapts to the way people work. By embedding generative AI into everyday business processes, SAP is positioning Joule not just as an assistant, but as a fundamental shift in how enterprises will run on SAP in the years to come.