SAP UI5 is a client-side UI technology that combines JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5, aimed at creating responsive web applications. It requires knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, and features a multi-layered architecture consisting of backend systems, an intermediate NetWeaver Gateway, and the frontend UI5 utility. SAP UI5 enhances productivity and user experience while providing extensibility, MVC support, and is designed for compatibility across various devices and browsers.