Safe Software unveils AI-driven data virtualization and AR tools to reshape enterprise data access—focusing on AI as assistant, not authority.
In a digital era racing toward AI dominance, Safe Software is doubling down on a core belief: AI is here to assist—not rule. The Surrey-based data integration company, co-founded by Don Murray and Dale Lutz in 1993, is preparing to hit a major milestone this fiscal year, targeting $112 million in revenue. With over 25,000 customers across 121 countries, Safe Software is now unveiling two major AI-powered upgrades to its FME platform, redefining how enterprises interact with their data.
A Shift Toward Secure, No-Code Data Virtualization
At its “Peak of Data and AI” event in Seattle, Safe introduced FME Data Virtualization—an OpenAPI-compliant solution that empowers developers and business users to connect large language models (LLMs) to enterprise data securely. What makes it different? It’s entirely no-code. Users can now build secure API layers through a visual interface, dramatically lowering the barrier for non-technical users.
“Organizations have countless internal systems,” Murray explains. “Instead of managing multiple authentication workflows, you can now virtualize that complexity behind a single, governed layer. The result? AI tools can safely interact with enterprise-grade data—without compromising control.”
Why This Changes the Game for Enterprises
Unlike traditional data storage models, FME Data Virtualization doesn’t store information—it accesses it live, in real time. Whether it’s querying images for vehicle counts or interpreting complex internal data, AI agents now work in a virtual machine-like layer, surfacing insights while masking underlying complexities. This decouples the application logic from underlying infrastructure—a crucial innovation.
“Switching from Salesforce to HubSpot? Your application won’t even notice,” says Murray. “It’s a complete rethink of data accessibility.”
Augmented Reality Meets the Real World with FME Realize
Beyond virtualization, Safe Software is extending its innovation into the physical world through FME Realize—an AR-based tool designed to bring digital twins into the field. Workers can now use iPads or iPhones to view a live 3D overlay of their environment.
Take an airport, for instance. Field staff can identify overparked vehicles using AI-assisted digital twins and camera data in real time. “The system knows where you are and flags actionable insights as you move,” says Murray. “It’s proactive field intelligence.”
From SaaS to AI-Led Interfaces: A Full Circle Moment
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently declared that SaaS apps are becoming obsolete in the face of AI. Murray agrees. “We’re heading back to an open-data world,” he notes. “SaaS once locked your data into proprietary interfaces. Now we’re giving it back to users—securely and flexibly.”
With AI prompts replacing graphical user interfaces, Safe is also investing in intuitive voice-based experiences. But despite these advances, Murray reinforces that humans must remain at the center of decision-making.
AI as Assistant, Not Authority
Amid rising debate on AI’s growing autonomy, Safe Software emphasizes ethical boundaries. Sensitive datasets can be filtered at the API level, ensuring only authorized access. “We don’t give LLMs root access,” Murray says. “And we believe domain-specific LLMs—not public ones—will lead the charge in industries like healthcare and energy.”
In critical workflows, Safe’s AI tools support human decision-making—never replace it. “Whether it’s solar farm inspections or airport security,” Murray adds, “AI should assist, not act independently.”
What’s Next? Industry-Ready AI Agents
Safe Software is already piloting AI agents trained on enterprise-specific data. These domain-trained models will soon enable organizations to monetize proprietary insights through secure, purpose-built LLMs.
Looking ahead, Murray is optimistic—but cautious. “If you take humans out of the loop, we’re asking for trouble. AI hallucinates. That’s why we always put a person in control.”
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