SAS named to Fast Company's 2026 Next Big Things in Tech list

SAS recognized for 3D digital twin technology that helps ensure the reliable flow of sterilized surgical instruments

CARY, N.C., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global data and AI leader SAS has been named to Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech, an annual list recognizing breakthrough technologies with the potential to transform industries and shape the future. SAS is recognized in the Applied AI category for its digital twin technology used by Sterilcentral, Denmark's largest medical sterilization provider, to optimize the cleaning, logistics planning and delivery of surgical instruments across hospitals. These improvements ultimately help doctors get the tools they need, surgeries start on time and patients receive safer care.

"Digital twins represent a powerful new frontier for AI because they empower organizations to simulate, understand and move first," said SAS Chief Technology Officer Bryan Harris. "Our partnership with Sterilcentral is one example of how we are scaling this impact across every industry to give businesses a decision advantage."

The power of digital twins
A digital twin is a dynamic virtual replica of a real-world system, continuously updated with operational data so organizations can simulate processes, test scenarios and predict outcomes before making decisions.

Built on SAS^® Viya^® and enhanced with immersive 3D environments from Epic Games' Unreal Engine, SAS digital twins combine advanced analytics, machine learning, simulation and AI to focus on prediction and optimization rather than only architecture and design. By ingesting real-time data and generating robust synthetic data sets, they allow teams to run "what if" scenarios, identify bottlenecks and improve performance without disrupting live systems.

Safety in the moments that matter most
Sterilcentral's cutting-edge, fully automated sterilization facility supports approximately 1,000 surgeries each day across seven hospitals in Denmark's capital region. If the facility goes offline, the impact extends far beyond operational delays. Surgeries across the region could come to a standstill.

To better understand and optimize this mission-critical operation, Sterilcentral turned to SAS. SAS built a digital twin of key parts of the Herlev facility where thousands of instruments move through washing, drying, packaging and delivery each day.

The 3D model, enriched with real-world data and advanced analytics, allowed the team to find and resolve disruptions in the sterilization process. The same environment was also used to train computer vision models using synthetic data, helping ensure workers wear protective gear correctly to reduce the risk of contamination.

"SAS digital twins helped us challenge our assumptions about where delays were occurring," said Thomas Bogeskov, CEO of Sterilcentral. "This technology allowed us to pinpoint bottlenecks, test changes before they affect operations and improve the reliable flow of sterile instruments, ultimately helping patients receive the best, safest care possible. We're excited to see this work recognized not only for the impact it is having today, but for its potential to transform our industry in the years ahead."

Learn more about SAS digital twin technology and view the complete Fast Company 2026 Next Big Things in Tech list.

About SAS
SAS is a global leader in data and AI, helping organizations make confident decisions with AI they can trust. For decades, SAS has set the standard for delivering software that drives meaningful impact, incorporating deep industry expertise, transparency and governance. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW®.

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SOURCE SAS