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In a move that could redefine how companies operate in the AI era, Workday Inc. announced Tuesday it will acquire Sana, the AI-native learning and productivity platform, in a deal valued at $1.1 billion. The acquisition, steered by Orrick for Workday and DLA Piper for Sana, aims to “reimagine the future of work” by weaving intelligent virtual assistants directly into the daily fabric of the workplace.

AI as the New Front Door for Work

At the core of Sana’s offerings are Sana Learn and Sana Agents, products that harness artificial intelligence to personalize training, streamline tasks, and supercharge productivity. With the acquisition, Workday says it will transform into “the new front door for work”—a gateway where enterprise knowledge, data, and action converge seamlessly.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision,” said Gerrit Kazmaier, Workday’s president of product and technology. “With Sana’s team, design, and AI-native approach, we can deliver a proactive, personalized, and intelligent experience that unleashes unmatched capabilities in the workplace.”

From Learning to Superintelligence

Workday outlined a bold vision for the future: AI agents capable of instantly retrieving files, locating information, summarizing insights, building presentations, automating repetitive work, and even guiding performance reviews. The system promises to arm managers with predictive tools—from recruitment pipeline monitoring to smart onboarding suggestions—effectively turning daily operations into an AI-driven ecosystem.

For Sana’s founder and CEO, Joel Hellermark, the deal represents a leap into scale.

“Our mission has always been to create intuitive AI tools that improve how people learn and work,” Hellermark said. “I’m thrilled to bring these innovations to 75 million Workday users and partner with an iconic team to launch a new era of superintelligence for work.”

Financial Advisers and Deal Structure

The transaction is slated to close in the fourth quarter of Workday’s fiscal year 2026, ending Jan. 31, 2026, pending customary closing conditions.

Allen & Company LLC is acting as financial adviser to Workday. The Orrick deal team includes partners Ramy Shweiky and Matthew Gemello. Information on DLA Piper’s team for Sana was not immediately disclosed.

With this acquisition, Workday is not just buying software—it’s buying the blueprint for a new era where AI becomes the co-pilot of the workplace.