The Art of Negotiation Using AI in a DisruptED World with Martin Rand Part 2

The conversation around AI in procurement is heating up as companies increasingly look to automate repetitive tasks and reimagine the way they engage suppliers. A report by McKinsey even suggests that automation can save up to 40 percent of procurement tasks, freeing professionals to focus on higher-value negotiations. With AI chatbots now taking on supplier negotiations, the question now is how will this reshape procurement roles, and what it means for the workforce of the future.

Is AI a threat to procurement jobs, or will it help procurement professionals shift to more strategic roles? How can procurement teams leverage automation to create value, not just savings?

In this second episode of a two-part segment of DisruptEd with  Martin Rand, CEO of Pactum AI, host Ron J. Stefanski continues to examine the shift. Together, they looked at the evolving role of procurement teams in the AI era, emphasizing how AI isn’t replacing people—it’s empowering them to focus on higher-level decision-making and creativity.

Key takeaways from the episode discussed:

• Procurement is no longer just about cutting costs and it’s becoming a space for strategic growth and innovation.
• Procurement professionals shift from pilots to copilots. AI automates routine sourcing, allowing procurement experts to focus on big-picture negotiations and innovation.
• AI requires a leap of faith from enterprises. Trusting a bot to manage sensitive negotiations demands upskilling and a shift in mindset, but the rewards are transformative.

Martin Rand, CEO and co-founder of Pactum AI, is a trailblazer in AI-driven procurement solutions. His background includes experience in technology startups and business strategy, and he has negotiated complex contracts at a global scale. A graduate of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, Rand leads efforts to integrate AI in procurement, empowering enterprises to achieve more strategic outcomes.

Article by Alexandra Simon.