Why Procurement Must Combine Human Expertise with AI
Artificial intelligence continues to transform procurement, but those harnessing it successfully are managing to combine it with human intelligence.
While AI is undoubtedly enhancing the function, many leaders are keen to highlight that people must be kept in the loop, helping to ensure accountability, prevent compliance breaches and mitigate risks surrounding financial, legal and ethical decision-making.
At Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London 2025, Nina Kivioja, VP - Sourcing, Indirect Materials & Services at UPM, will reveal how UPM leverages AI to enhance decision-making, streamline processes and unlock value from supplier networks, while ensuring people remain at the heart of strategic sourcing.
To secure your ticket for PSC LIVE London, click here. āāāāāāā
AI at the heart of strategic transformation
The 2025 Deloitte Global Chief Procurement Officer Survey shows that, despite incredible innovation in the realm of AI, there remains a huge need for there to be a human in the loop to maximise these new technologies.
It indicates a strong correlation between the combination of technology and talent competence, and better enterprise performance.
One CPO said: "Procurement is used to being asked to do more with less, but with increased pressure from an inflationary global market and an emerging trade war, those aims have become harder to achieve."
Firms deemed by Deloitte to be 'Digital Masters' achieved an average 2.8x return on Gen AI investments, far outpacing 'Followers', who saw only a 1.6x return.
The cost of delayed AI adoption
Meanwhile, Ivalua's report, From Risk to Resilience: Supercharging Procurement with Agentic AI, draws on insights from 300 supply chain and procurement decision-makers across the UK.
It finds that only 32% of organisations have deployed AI tools in their procurement and supplier management functions in the last 12 months. While 36% are in the process of implementation, almost a third are still either just considering AI or have no plans to adopt it.
The cost of that delay is starting to show. More than half (55%) of UK businesses now believe their procurement and supplier management functions are at a competitive disadvantage because of slow AI uptake.
Alex Saric , CMO at Ivalua, explains: "With rising costs, ongoing volatility in trade policies and constant pressure to do more with less, slow adoption of AI isn't just a missed opportunity; it's becoming a strategic risk."
This human-in-the-loop approach can be seen with JAGGAER, whose AI tool JAI introduces a new dimension to user experience, seamlessly integrating human oversight with automated efficiency across its platform.
Implementing the tool allows procurement teams to benefit from a contextual assistant that enhances task execution, guides users through navigation complexities and automates processes such as RFP creation and supplier evaluation.
Continuing its evolution, JAI is set to transition from its current role as a co-pilot to a fully autonomous agent ā an initiative that promises to revolutionise procurement workflow management.
Human + Machine: The new era of AI-driven procurement
AI is revolutionising procurement by combining human insight with computational power.
At Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London 2025, Nina Kivioja will discuss UPM's approach to using AI for smarter decision-making, more efficient operations and greater supplier network value creation ā all while keeping human judgement central to strategic sourcing initiatives.
Nina will take part in a fireside chat on the Procurement Stage on Day 2 (24 September), starting at 12:40pm.
Nina is a sourcing and procurement professional with experience across multiple categories. She currently leads Indirect Sourcing at UPM, a material solutions company contributing to the sustainable transformation of society with material solutions, utilising renewable feedstocks.
She boasts proven and demonstrable experience of procurement transformation and developing large teams and suppliers, influencing business and engaging with stakeholders in a multi-business and site environment.
As an individual, Nina is curious, open-minded and a team player with multicultural perspectives.
About Procurement and Supply Chain LIVE London 2025
Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE is returning to the Business Design Centre in London for its annual Global Summit on 23-24 September.
This unmissable event is aimed at facilitating knowledge sharing and connections among the world's procurement and supply chain leaders.
Those attending can enjoy inspiring keynotes, engaging panels and exclusive workshops covering a diverse range of topics, including supply chain transformation, procurement technology, sustainability and ESG, AI, finance, logistics and supplier relationship management.
To secure your tickets, click here.
