SAP And Fresenius are building a sovereign AI platform for healthcare that brings secure data processing to clinical settings.
For healthcare data leaders, deploying AI requires strict governance that public cloud solutions often lack. This collaboration addresses this gap by creating a “controlled environment” in which AI models can operate without compromising data sovereignty.
Taking AI from pilot to production
The project aims to build an open and integrated ecosystem allowing hospitals to use AI safely. Rather than conducting isolated experiments, the companies plan to create a digital backbone for a sovereign, AI-supported healthcare system.
Michael Sen, CEO of Fresenius, said: “With SAP, we can accelerate the digital transformation of German and European healthcare systems and enable a sovereign European solution that is so important in today’s global landscape.
“We are making data and AI secure, simple and scalable daily companions for doctors and hospital teams. This leaves more room for what really matters: caring for patients.”
The technical base uses SAP Business AI and SAP Business Data Cloud. By leveraging these components, the platform creates a compliant and sovereign foundation for operating AI models in healthcare. This infrastructure manages health data responsibly, a necessary condition for scaling automated patient care processes.
The partnership addresses data fragmentation through SAP’s “AnyEMR” strategy, which supports the integration of various hospital information systems (HIS). Using open industry standards such as HL7 FHIR, the platform connects SIS, electronic health records (EMR), and other medical applications.
This connectivity allows Fresenius to develop AI-based solutions that increase efficiency throughout the care chain. The goal is to create an individual, scalable platform that enables connected, data-driven healthcare processes.
Investing in Sovereign AI to Advance Healthcare
Both companies intend to invest an “average three-digit amount in millions of euros” in the medium term. The funds target the digital transformation of German and European healthcare systems using AI-based solutions.
The plans include joint investments in startups and scaleups, as well as internal technology developments. This approach aims to build a broader library of tools that connect to the sovereign platform.
Christian Klein, CEO of SAP SE, commented: “With SAP’s cutting-edge technology and Fresenius’ deep healthcare expertise, we aim to create a sovereign, interoperable healthcare platform for Fresenius worldwide.
“Together we want to set new standards in data sovereignty, security and innovation in healthcare. With SAP, Fresenius can harness the full potential of digital and AI-based processes and sustainably improve patient care.”
This agreement indicates that the next phase of AI in healthcare in Europe will focus on sovereign infrastructure. Sectors like healthcare need a controlled environment to meet regulatory requirements. Without a sovereign database, AI initiatives risk stalling due to compliance issues.
See also: Increasing the value of AI beyond pilot phase purgatory
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