Global AI Regulations and SAP Compliance

AI technologies are increasingly subject to regulatory and compliance requirements to ensure that they are used safely, ethically, and in compliance with data protection laws.

For organizations, this means:

• ensuring AI use respects privacy and fundamental rights
• managing risks associated with automated decision-making
• maintaining transparency and accountability

SAP supports customers in meeting these expectations by aligning its AI solutions with established regulatory frameworks and industry standards.

Several regulations and frameworks are shaping how AI is developed and used.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

GDPR is a European regulation focused on protecting personal data and individual privacy. It sets rules for how organizations collect, process, store, and protect personal data, and gives individuals rights such as access to their data and the ability to request its correction or deletion.

For AI scenarios, GDPR is particularly relevant because it requires transparency, data minimization, and lawful processing when personal data is used.

EU AI Act

The EU AI Act is a regulatory framework designed to address risks related to safety and fundamental rights in AI systems. It introduces a risk-based approach, where AI systems are categorized based on their potential impact, with stricter requirements for higher-risk use cases.

For organizations, this means ensuring that AI systems are designed, deployed, and monitored in a way that is transparent, controlled, and aligned with regulatory expectations.

Learn more about SAP’s AI offerings aligned with European regulations:

https://www.sap.com/products/artificial-intelligence/eu-ai-cloud.html

These frameworks reflect a broader trend toward responsible and regulated AI usage.

SAP supports compliance with regulatory requirements through a combination of policies, governance, and technical controls.

This includes:

• AI Ethics Policy

  SAP defines principles such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and privacy to guide AI development and usage.

• Data protection and privacy frameworks

  SAP applies global data protection standards and contractual safeguards, such as data processing agreements.

• Governance and oversight mechanisms

  AI use cases are evaluated, monitored, and managed throughout their lifecycle.

Explore SAP’s data protection and privacy practices:

https://www.sap.com/about/trust-center/data-privacy.html

SAP provides independent certifications and audit reports that support its compliance posture and demonstrate the application of structured controls.

Key examples include:

• ISO/IEC 42001

  A global standard specifically focused on AI management systems, supporting governance, risk management, and responsible AI practices.

• ISO/IEC 27001

  A widely recognized standard for information security management.

• ISO/IEC 27018

  A standard focused on protecting personal data in cloud environments.

• SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports

  Independent audit reports that assess controls related to security, availability, and data protection.

These certifications and reports help provide assurance that SAP applies structured, auditable controls across its services.

Explore SAP’s compliance offerings and certifications:

https://www.sap.com/about/trust-center/certification-compliance.html

AI technologies are subject to increasing regulatory requirements, including frameworks such as GDPR and the EU AI Act.

SAP supports compliance by:

• applying policies, governance, and technical controls aligned with regulatory expectations
• implementing data protection and privacy frameworks
• providing independent certifications such as ISO/IEC 42001, ISO 27001, and SOC reports
• offering transparent access to compliance documentation

Together, these measures help organizations use AI in a responsible, compliant, and transparent way.