At DPW Amsterdam 2025, industry leaders emphasised that harnessing AI’s full potential in procurement requires parallel investment in team skills, governance, and strategic capabilities, beyond just technological innovation.
The Positive Purchasing team has returned from DPW Amsterdam 2025 with a keen understanding of the evolving landscape of procurement as artificial intelligence (AI) begins to reshape the future of the field. This year’s event, held at the hi...
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storic Beurs van Berlage, highlighted how AI is transforming procurement practices, from strategic decision-making to operational efficiency. Yet, amid the excitement about cutting-edge technology, a recurring theme emerged: the crucial need to develop and invest in procurement capabilities to truly harness AI’s potential.
Jonathan O’Brien, CEO of Positive Purchasing, remarked that while AI technology is advancing rapidly, its adoption within procurement remains uneven. He described the current state of AI as “fragmented islands of brilliance,” with a lack of widespread integration and insufficient scalable data infrastructure. According to him, the promise of AI will only be fulfilled when it is fully embedded as part of the procurement team, working alongside skilled professionals proficient in data analytics, AI applications, and change management.
Sarah, the company’s Business Development Manager, also shared insights from her conversations at the event. She observed that while AI platforms have the potential to revolutionise procurement by driving cost savings and unlocking strategic value, many organisations are struggling with underutilised technology and disappointing returns on investment. Her reflections underscored that technology alone is insufficient without a parallel emphasis on building the right capabilities within procurement teams.
DPW Amsterdam 2025 brought together a diverse, international community of procurement professionals – from AI newcomers taking their first steps to innovators already transforming their functions with intelligent digital tools. The spirit of collaboration and learning was palpable throughout the event, as was the acknowledgement that the procurement function must balance emerging technological tools with human-led insight and governance.
Several companies showcased pioneering solutions at DPW Amsterdam 2025, further illustrating AI’s diverse role in procurement. ServiceNow, for example, introduced autonomous procurement solutions designed to eliminate manual, repetitive tasks. Their AI agents go beyond merely searching or summarising; they actively enable procurement professionals by parsing quotes and generating ad hoc dashboards through natural language queries, reducing reliance on coding skills.
Similarly, ISPnext unveiled enhancements to its Source-to-Pay platform, introducing AI-driven modules for contract management, accounts payable automation, and procurement team management. These innovations emphasise control, compliance, and ease of use, demonstrating how strategic data use can empower better procurement decisions.
Nvelop, another key exhibitor, showcased its AI-driven autonomous sourcing platform aimed at streamlining supplier evaluation, contracting, and performance management. Their solution epitomises the shift toward faster, more data-powered procurement cycles that evolve in response to organisational needs.
WNS Procurement presented its AI-powered solutions designed to complement human intelligence, stressing how the integration of AI helps procurement teams translate complexity into clarity and enhance overall performance. This message resonated with the event’s broader theme of innovation accompanied by human ingenuity.
DPW Amsterdam 2025 also featured the DPW Awards, recognising the most innovative technology providers in procurement and supply chain sectors. These awards span from early-stage ventures to growth-stage companies, highlighting innovations with the potential to revolutionise the industry. The awards ceremony, culminating in a grand finale set for October 2025, provides winners with global visibility and media exposure.
Looking ahead, the momentum from DPW Amsterdam 2025 is set to continue with the next edition scheduled for late September to early October 2026. Expected to draw over 2,000 innovators, the 2026 event promises to deepen the focus on AI’s practical impact across procurement and supply chains, supported by keynotes, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
In summary, DPW Amsterdam 2025 marked a pivotal moment in procurement’s journey to embrace AI. The event showcased both the promise and the current limitations of AI tools within procurement functions. It became clear that the next phase of procurement transformation will depend as much on building human capability, governance, and a future-ready mindset as on deploying advanced AI technologies. Procurement’s future, it seems, will be best realised by teams that blend the power of AI with strategic human leadership.
Source: Noah Wire Services
