Artificial intelligence is transforming procurement – but how profoundly, and in what capacity? In our roundtable, "AI in Procurement – Replacement or Relief?", Tobias Demmer (HERMA Group), Florian Böhm (Hosokawa Alpine), Moritz Wagner & Manuel Halbing (Nunatak), and Robert Richarz (UVC Partners) joined Tacto to discuss the realistic application of AI in industrial procurement. The discussion focused on key questions: Which tasks will be automated, where is the human touch irreplaceable, and how can AI be used productively in concrete terms today?

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Hype or reality – what AI can really do today

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Artificial intelligence has long since arrived in procurement, yet a gap often remains between technological potential and operational implementation. Many organizations recognize the added value but hit roadblocks regarding data quality, processes, or internal structure.

Successful AI implementation is not an IT project; it is an organizational transformation. The key is how companies connect technology, data, and people. The rule is: AI can only unfold its impact—from more transparent analyses to faster decision-making—once processes are clearly defined, responsibilities are assigned, and information is structured and accessible. This shifts the focus away from the tool itself and toward the ability to intelligently combine data and expertise. AI thus becomes a catalyst for efficiency, not an end in itself.

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Relief instead of replacement – the new role of procurement

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AI is not changing the existence of procurement, but rather how it works. Tasks are being redistributed—routine activities are increasingly automated, while analysis, strategy, and supplier management are moving to the forefront.

Procurement is increasingly becoming the architect of data-driven decisions. AI systems take over repetitive tasks, filter information, and create the foundation for informed decisions—while humans set the focus, priorities, and direction.

The understanding of efficiency is changing: it is no longer about replacement, but about relief. This creates space for strategic tasks that were previously lost in the daily noise—and establishes a new balance between human and machine in procurement.

Practical examples – where AI is tangible in procurement today

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Using concrete use cases, Tacto demonstrated how AI is already supporting procurement today:

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• Cost Savings: AI analyzes procurement data, identifies potential savings, and tracks realized amounts within the system.
• RFQs: Quotes are automatically read, structured, compared, and evaluated.
• Document management: Relevant information from PDFs, quotes, or contracts is automatically extracted and linked.
• Negotiations: Negotiation dossiers are created based on data, making price trends transparent and traceable.
• Supplier information: External data (e.g., industry news, activities) flows directly into supplier profiles.

The result: Less manual maintenance, greater analytical depth – and a procurement function based on real-time data rather than gut feeling.

Conclusion – AI as a relief and accelerator for procurement

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AI does not change procurement by replacing it, but by redistributing value creation.
Procurement professionals become orchestrators of data-driven decisions – supported by systems that handle repetitive tasks and expand the scope for action.

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In this webinar, HERMA, Hosokawa Alpine, Nunatak, UVC Partners, and Tacto share how procurement organizations are mastering the balancing act between technology, structure, and responsibility today – and how AI is actually providing relief rather than replacement.

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