Workday to acquire AI startup Sana to boost enterprise AI capabilities
TOI World Desk | Sep 16, 2025, 22:00 IST
Highlight of the story: Workday, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire AI startup Sana, known for its AI-powered search, digital agents, and learning tools. The acquisition will strengthen Workday’s AI-first strategy by integrating Sana’s flagship products — Sana Learn and Sana Agents — into its enterprise cloud platform. Analysts view the move as part of a broader trend in enterprise software, with major players like Microsoft and Salesforce also investing heavily in AI assistants. The deal, which remains subject to closing conditions, reflects Workday’s goal of enhancing productivity, employee engagement, and decision-making through advanced AI capabilities.
Workday, Inc., a top provider of enterprise cloud applications, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Sana, an artificial intelligence startup focused on AI-based search, digital agents, and workplace learning applications. The deal is Workday's most recent move to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities and provide a more personalized, intelligent experience throughout its enterprise platform.
Sana is well known for its flagship Sana Learn and Sana Agents, which are meant to automate organizational productivity, employee training, and knowledge sharing. Introducing these tools, Workday hopes to empower its users with sophisticated AI-based features that facilitate quick decision-making, workforce development, and more profound employee engagement.
In announcing the deal, Workday stressed that Sana's technology will support its "AI-first approach" and drive innovation in industries that currently depend on its cloud-based suite for human resources, finance, and planning enterprises. Senior company executives pointed out that the startup's software will enhance Workday's existing capabilities, providing an even more cohesive and responsive enterprise ecosystem for companies of all sizes.
Sana has established itself as an early pioneer in enterprise AI through solutions that act like virtual assistants for workers. These include products that make workplace searching automatic, create conversational experiences, and deliver AI-composed training courses. Sana's mission is to enable fast answers for employees, minimize time spent on mundane tasks, and constantly improve skills — values that coincide with Workday's vision of infusing AI into the everyday rhythm of business processes.
Industry watchers view the deal as part of a bigger trend within the enterprise software industry, as artificial intelligence emerges as a building block for productivity and competitiveness. Tech titans like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Oracle have all invested heavily in AI assistants and generative AI, reflecting an industry-wide competition to redefine the workplace with smart software.
For Workday, the deal not only serves as a reaction to increasing customer demand but also as a proactive move to future-proof its platform amid growing adoption of AI across the world. After the deal closes, Sana's technology and people will become part of Workday's operations.
The terms of the deal were not revealed, and the acquisition is still subject to standard closing conditions.
Sana is well known for its flagship Sana Learn and Sana Agents, which are meant to automate organizational productivity, employee training, and knowledge sharing. Introducing these tools, Workday hopes to empower its users with sophisticated AI-based features that facilitate quick decision-making, workforce development, and more profound employee engagement.
In announcing the deal, Workday stressed that Sana's technology will support its "AI-first approach" and drive innovation in industries that currently depend on its cloud-based suite for human resources, finance, and planning enterprises. Senior company executives pointed out that the startup's software will enhance Workday's existing capabilities, providing an even more cohesive and responsive enterprise ecosystem for companies of all sizes.
Sana has established itself as an early pioneer in enterprise AI through solutions that act like virtual assistants for workers. These include products that make workplace searching automatic, create conversational experiences, and deliver AI-composed training courses. Sana's mission is to enable fast answers for employees, minimize time spent on mundane tasks, and constantly improve skills — values that coincide with Workday's vision of infusing AI into the everyday rhythm of business processes.
Industry watchers view the deal as part of a bigger trend within the enterprise software industry, as artificial intelligence emerges as a building block for productivity and competitiveness. Tech titans like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Oracle have all invested heavily in AI assistants and generative AI, reflecting an industry-wide competition to redefine the workplace with smart software.
For Workday, the deal not only serves as a reaction to increasing customer demand but also as a proactive move to future-proof its platform amid growing adoption of AI across the world. After the deal closes, Sana's technology and people will become part of Workday's operations.
The terms of the deal were not revealed, and the acquisition is still subject to standard closing conditions.