From hype to impact: What AI means for procurement

Simon Lipscomb is joined by Mike Fedorov, COO and co-CEO at AI Labs, to discuss how procurement leaders can move beyond the hype surrounding AI and focus on where it can deliver genuine business value.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in operations, Mike shares a practical perspective on AI adoption and why organisations should start with the business problem rather than the technology. He explores the opportunity for AI to strengthen the connections between procurement and other functions, bring together fragmented knowledge and context, and help teams make faster, better-informed decisions – while highlighting where human judgement, negotiation and relationship-building remain essential.

This episode covers:

• Why organisations are moving beyond the initial AI hype and focusing more closely on tangible outcomes and return on investment
• Why procurement leaders should start with the business problem rather than the technology when considering where to apply AI
• How AI can help strengthen the connections between procurement and other functions across the organisation
• Where AI can add the most value – and why human skills such as judgement, negotiation and relationship-building remain critical

Listen to the podcast below: