Israeli tech leaders discuss major industry shifts over the past year
We asked a variety of hi-tech industry leaders, Ma nishtana? What has changed in the tech industry over the past year? Here are their responses.
AI Agents Redefine Enterprise Technology
Orna Kleinmann, managing director of SAP Labs Israel, emphasized the rise of AI agents as autonomous systems transforming enterprise operations. These agents now perform tasks, provide insights, and make recommendations, requiring robust data foundations. SAP's Business Data Cloud (BDC) exemplifies efforts to unify fragmented data for AI reliability.
Israeli Startups Adapt to Global Isolation
Maayan Shahar, general manager of UST Spark, noted how Israeli startups expanded their global footprint amid reduced international delegations. Entrepreneurs traveled extensively to meet investors and customers, while multinationals like UST bridged gaps by connecting global teams to local innovation.
Cyber Resilience Takes Center Stage
Amit Shaked, VP at Rubrik, highlighted the shift from prevention to cyber resilience, citing that 74% of cyberattacks on backups were partially successful. Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) emerged as a critical tool to minimize exposure risks and ensure rapid recovery.
AI Transforms Software Development
Arik Faingold, chairman of Commit, described how AI agents now handle routine coding, freeing developers for creative problem-solving. Teams leveraging AI achieve productivity levels previously requiring triple the headcount, making adaptation to AI workflows essential.
Defense Tech Enters Startup Era
Yinnon Dolev, head of Sompo Digital Lab Israel, observed a revolution in defense tech, with civilian technologies increasingly integrated into military systems. Private capital and global conflicts are driving demand for agile, dual-use solutions.
Privacy Becomes Core to Product Design
Gal Ringel, CEO of MineOS, stressed that privacy is now an engineering challenge, not just a legal checkbox. Regulations like the EU AI Act and Israel's evolving privacy laws are shaping product architecture and investor risk assessments.
Investment Surges Despite Geopolitical Challenges
Evan Renov, co-founder of Arieli Group, reported a $10 billion investment surge in Israeli tech in 2024, with foreign VC funds playing a key role. Notable deals include Google's $32 billion acquisition of Wiz, underscoring Israel's resilience and innovation leadership.
For more on artificial intelligence or cyberattacks, visit The Jerusalem Post.
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Dr. Emily Wang
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Former Google AI Product Manager with 10 years of experience in AI product development and strategy formulation. Led multiple successful AI products from 0 to 1 development process, now provides product strategy consulting for AI startups while writing AI product analysis articles for various tech media outlets.