How Agentic AI Can Future-Proof the Procurement Sector

GEP is positioning itself at the head of procurement’s AI evolution, preparing to demonstrate how autonomous AI systems can transform traditional buying processes. 

The global supply chain software provider will host a workshop at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London 2025, focusing on what the industry calls “agentic AI” – systems capable of independent decision-making rather than simply responding to user prompts.

The timing shows growing pressure on procurement teams to adapt their operations. 

Geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt supply chains, while evolving sustainability regulations demand new approaches to supplier selection and monitoring. 

These challenges are pushing companies to explore AI solutions that can operate with minimal human intervention.

The role of GEP in procurement’s transformation

GEP, which provides AI-powered transformation services to businesses worldwide, has built its reputation on helping procurement departments navigate these complexities. 

The company’s software platforms serve more than 1,000 companies across 30 industries, including household names like Kellogg’s, Macy’s, Tesco and Costa Coffee.

Traditional procurement AI has largely focused on chatbot interfaces and basic automation. 

Agentic AI is a step change, with systems designed to learn from patterns, anticipate problems and execute decisions without constant human oversight. 

For procurement teams already stretched thin, this autonomous capability offers the prospect of handling routine decisions while humans focus on strategic priorities.

The company has invested heavily in developing these capabilities, recognising that procurement’s role has expanded far beyond simple purchasing. 

Modern procurement teams must balance cost control with sustainability requirements, manage geopolitical risks and maintain supply chain resilience – all while demonstrating measurable business value.

GEP’s combined risk analysis with AI-powered solutions

GEP’s approach to AI development draws on its broader market intelligence capabilities. 

The company produces the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index in partnership with S&P Global, a financial services and analytics firm. 

This index tracks supply chain conditions through monthly surveys of 27,000 businesses, monitoring demand patterns, shortages, costs and delivery backlogs across different regions.

This data collection provides GEP with insights into how businesses respond to supply chain disruptions, informing the development of its AI systems. 

The volatility index has become a recognised measure of global supply chain health, giving GEP credibility when it comes to understanding the challenges its AI tools need to address.

The workshop, titled From Chatbots to Change Agents: Futureproofing Procurement with Agentic AI, will take place on 24 September at the Business Design Centre. 

Click here to register your interest in this workshop. 

Christine Nguo, Director at GEP, will lead the session, examining how these systems move beyond simple query responses to become autonomous decision-makers.

Access to the workshop is restricted to C-suite, vice-president and director-level executives, reflecting GEP’s focus on senior decision-makers who control procurement technology budgets. 

The company requires business email addresses for registration, a standard practice for B2B events targeting corporate buyers.

The impact of industry pressure 

The broader procurement software market has seen big investment in AI capabilities over the past two years. 

Companies are seeking solutions that can process vast amounts of supplier data, identify patterns in pricing and delivery performance and flag potential risks before they become problems.

Agentic AI systems promise to handle these tasks with greater speed and consistency than human analysts, particularly when dealing with routine supplier evaluations or contract renewals. 

The technology builds on machine learning (ML) algorithms that can identify patterns in historical procurement data, then apply those insights to new situations without explicit programming for each scenario.

For procurement professionals, the appeal lies in systems that can work continuously, monitoring supplier performance and market conditions around the clock. 

These systems can process information from multiple sources – financial reports, news feeds, weather data, shipping schedules – to build comprehensive risk assessments.

GEP’s workshop targets procurement leaders wrestling with how to implement these technologies while maintaining control over critical business decisions. 

The session promises to address practical questions about deployment, integration with existing systems and governance frameworks for autonomous decision-making.

To secure your tickets, click here.