Gartner® Research Predicts 2026 Procurement Taking Steps to Become AI First
Procurement is reinventing itself for an AI-first world. This research presents chief procurement officers with five predictions outlining the trajectory of changes to expect and their implications on the function.
Overview
Key Findings
- Legacy processes and poor data quality remain major obstacles to digital and agentic procurement in the near term: Incomplete digitalization, fragmented process visibility, and unreliable data hinder AI agent effectiveness and workflow integration. Resolving these foundational issues is crucial to unlocking the full potential of AI-powered procurement.
- Regulatory and technological convergence is driving enhanced supply chain visibility and compliance: Emerging regulations and advances in AI and data management are forcing organizations to invest in multitier supplier transparency,
enabling real-time risk management and adherence to sustainability and transparency standards.
- AI-native transformation will redefine procurement talent and structures: The rise of AI agents and orchestration engines will automate routine tasks and introduce hybrid human-AI roles, requiring new skills in collaboration, data stewardship, and AI governance. This marks a shift from incremental automation to a strategic reinvention of procurement’s value and workforce.
Raindrop is AI-enabled by design, built to deliver real, tangible value—not empty hype. Gartner® predicts procurement is entering an AI-first era, where data maturity, process visibility, and AI-native technology will separate leaders from laggards. Download the Gartner® flex reprint to learn what’s required to build an AI-first procurement organization and stay competitive through 2026 and beyond.
Gartner Disclaimer:
Gartner, Predicts 2026: Procurement: Taking Steps to Become AI-First, Ryan Polk, Cian
Curtin, Mel Mohamednur, Miguel Cossio, Lynne Phelan, Meghan O’Doherty, 12 December 2025.
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