Key Points:
- Workday buys Sana for $1.1B to scale AI workplace tools.
- Sana boosts productivity and learning with major efficiency gains.
- AI agents + search + learning reshape employee experience.
Workday Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), a leading enterprise AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sana, an AI company specializing in enterprise knowledge tools. The acquisition, valued at approximately $1.1 billion, is set to close in the fourth quarter of Workday’s fiscal year 2026, subject to customary conditions. The move aims to create a new experience for workplace users by integrating AI-powered search, agents, and learning with Workday’s data and context.
Sana’s AI tools, including Sana Learn and Sana Agents, currently support over one million users across various industries. With the acquisition, Workday plans to expand its user base to 75 million and accelerate the development and deployment of AI-driven solutions at scale. The combined platform will enable proactive, personalized, and intelligent experiences for employees, helping them find information, automate workflows, and enhance productivity.
Enhancing Workplace Efficiency and Learning with AI
The integration of Sana’s solutions will allow Workday users to access critical data sources, including Google Drive, SharePoint, and Office 365, through intuitive AI search functions. Additionally, AI agents will assist employees by anticipating needs, summarizing key insights, and creating documents, presentations, and dashboards. The platform will also support automating routine tasks end-to-end while maintaining compliance through Workday’s Agent System of Record.
Several companies have already realized significant efficiency gains using Sana’s tools. A leading manufacturer reported up to 95% time savings, while a multinational industrial tech firm achieved a 90% boost in productivity. A global law firm noted over 60% time savings and doubled operational efficiency. These results highlight how AI-driven workflows can transform workplace operations.
In the learning domain, Sana Learn offers AI-powered course generation, content creation, and personalized tutoring. Companies using the platform have seen remarkable results, including a global electric vehicle manufacturer increasing learning engagement by 275%, and a European distributor reducing course creation time from four months to just four days. These outcomes demonstrate the potential for accelerated learning and upskilling at scale.
Workday Inc. plans to leverage these capabilities alongside its existing Talent Optimization and HiredScore solutions to offer hyper-personalized skill-building opportunities. This will support organizations in reskilling employees and expanding learning initiatives to meet evolving workplace demands.
A New Era of AI-Driven Workplace Solutions
Josh Bersin, a global industry analyst and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company, emphasized the transformative potential of the acquisition. “Sana’s AI agent and learning system give Workday customers the opportunity to completely transform the way their employees learn, grow, and operate as super workers in this new age of AI,” he said.
Gerrit Kazmaier, president of product and technology at Workday, stated that combining Sana’s AI tools with Workday’s data ecosystem will redefine employee experiences. Joel Hellermark, CEO of Sana, also expressed excitement about bringing AI-driven learning and workplace solutions to millions of users.
With this acquisition, Workday Inc. is positioning itself at the forefront of enterprise AI, aiming to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and support personalized learning. The partnership marks a significant step toward integrating AI into everyday work environments, enabling companies to harness technology to improve employee experience and operational efficiency.
