“AI in procurement starts with a clear problem, not with the technology.”
Who it’s for
For procurement teams that want to use AI but don’t know where to start. The guide focuses on practical steps rather than technology hype.
Published in Q3 2024. The guide focuses on the foundations of AI adoption rather than specific tools or models, so its core recommendations still apply. Keep recent technological developments in mind when putting them into practice.
What to expect
- 01AI is easier to pilot than Industry 4.0: existing digital infrastructure can make small, modular solutions practical.
- 02Finding the right problem to solve — start with a concrete procurement pain point where AI can create near-term value.
- 03Make or buy — weigh the speed and capability of external solutions against the control and effort of building in-house.
- 04Management commitment — visible sponsorship helps procurement secure resources and move beyond experimentation.
- 05An AI strategy connects use cases to business goals, available data and a practical implementation path.
- 06Manageable pilots allow teams to learn and iterate before committing to a wider rollout.
- 07The bitter lesson: why general methods win — build on broadly capable models rather than assuming bespoke rules will keep pace.
About the author
As co-founder and product lead at apadua, I work every day on how AI can meaningfully support procurement. In this whitepaper, I share lessons from implementing AI projects: from selecting suitable use cases and developing an AI strategy to getting a project started — with a pragmatic approach and an eye on common pitfalls.
