APD’s 2026 survey shows how manufacturing procurement teams are using AI, which applications provide the most value, and what prevents broader adoption. Explore seven findings on chatbot access, time savings, practical use cases, training gaps, and the next steps procurement executives should consider.
AI chatbots can help procurement professionals work faster, analyze information, and prepare stronger sourcing decisions. But access to a chatbot does not create capability. Boston Consulting Group found that 74% of frontline employees regularly use AI, yet only 36% believe they have received sufficient training….
Procurement teams are already using AI. The real question is whether they are using it well enough to improve business results. That distinction matters. According to the Work AI Institute, 87% of digital workers now use AI at work, and 75% say it makes them…
Artificial intelligence is creating the same kind of divide we have seen in every major business technology shift. Some organizations are using it to move faster, prepare better, and make more informed decisions. Others are experimenting, getting inconsistent results, and quietly backing away. That second…
Indirect purchasing is messy by nature. A direct materials buyer may focus on a handful of categories tied to a production process. An indirect buyer often manages dozens of unrelated categories at the same time. Marketing services. MRO. Fleet. Travel. IT. Janitorial. Temporary labor. Capital…
More and more procurement teams are moving quickly to implement AI agents. The tools look capable, and the pressure to automate is real. But most failures come from a simple mistake – they choose the wrong AI execution model for the work. You have three options for applying…
Procurement teams are not struggling with access to AI. They are struggling with how to use it in a way that delivers real outcomes. These are the five patterns that when applied, start to change how work gets done. 1. Stop treating AI like a…
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of the negotiation landscape. Buyers and sellers are experimenting with AI tools to analyze data, draft questions, prepare talking points, and even simulate negotiation scenarios. That’s the opportunity — and the risk. AI doesn’t replace judgment. It amplifies whatever…
I’ve been using AI almost every day for the past two years, and here’s the truth: in the beginning, it felt a lot like managing a brand-new intern—AI was full of enthusiasm, eager to help, but with very little wisdom. Back then, when I asked AI to complete a task, the results were maybe…
This guide explains how purchasing executives can use current ChatGPT Plus functionality to drive faster analysis, better decisions, and measurable productivity gains. It reflects how ChatGPT Plus works today and focuses on practical procurement use cases. Most lessons apply to the paid M365 Copilot and…