In the field of procurement ERP, expectations for generative AI like ChatGPT are high. AI-powered technology enables a sustainable and effective flow of goods and resources in a globalized, data-driven commercial environment.

According to IDC, 55% of the Forbes Global 2000 OEMs will have updated their supply chains using AI by 2026. This will guarantee that the right components are accessible and strategically placed to address problems before any failure.

According to IDC polls, organizations seek more supply chain transparency to address problems like rising expenses and fluctuating demand. All of these things and more can be handled through generative AI, which also helps businesses become more transparent, efficient, and resilient as a whole.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an AI model that employs deep learning to create human-like language based on inputs from users like you. Based on patterns that it identified from an extensive amount of data throughout its training phase, it predicts the subsequent word in a text.

The "magic" takes place during the training process. ChatGPT receives a massive amount of textual information from OpenAI. Following that, ChatGPT makes use of the information to make predictions about the following word based on the samples it was provided. These forecasts are evaluated by OpenAI, who then makes revisions. This procedure is carried out numerous times in sequence offering you answers to your queries in seconds.

Top procurement challenges ChatGPT can help solve:

1. Identifying new vendors

By examining supplier data, ChatGPT can assist procurement experts in finding suitable vendors. Additionally, it can locate potential vendors based on their sector, place of business, or range of goods and services. In order to do this, you can request ChatGPT in procurement to recommend the best vendors who could potentially be able to offer the required goods or services after feeding it your demand data.

2. Contract management

Procurement professionals can benefit from ChatGPT in procurement by getting details about the terms and conditions of their contracts, which will help them manage their contracts efficiently. This can be accomplished by providing ChatGPT data with regards to email communication and asking it to offer contract proposals.

3. Vendor performance

ChatGPT in procurement helps professionals assess the efficiency of their vendors by analyzing supplier data and providing real-time notifications on concerns that they come across. You can accomplish this by providing ChatGPT with vendor data and requesting it to summarize performance metrics.

4. Market evaluation 

It can help experts by examining market trends and spotting prospective possibilities or hazards that might aid in the creation of market evaluations. ChatGPT in procurement can assist in generating details about the costs and possible risks connected with a certain vendor or product.

5. Requesting quotations

When purchasing goods or services from vendors, ChatGPT in procurement can help the experts by giving them templates for quotations. You can ask ChatGPT to create a quotation request templates depending on the specifications you enter.

The benefits of using ChatGPT for global procurement

1. Enabling Bottleneck-Free Operations

Generative AI, which excels at summarization, can be used to examine the material/product history and offer a brief summary pertinent to the warehouse operator at the point of use. This makes it possible to lessen bottlenecks that could hinder process workflows.

2. Training support

Technology can produce training materials and process recommendations for internal and external use such as sustainability frameworks or vendor management guidelines. Generative AI could pinpoint best practices and produce in-depth training manual or updates. However, the management must still check and approve the training materials or guidelines and there must be a clearly defined approval and modification process.

3. Tracking Sustainability

ChatGPT in procurement  can help with report preparation by offering evaluation of data and business insights. If the results of generative AI-powered technology and intelligent automation technology are merged, a new category of report can be produced and its creation can be automated.

4. Better collaboration

The manner in which people share information and communicate matters much in any multinational or multicultural setting. Generative AI in procurement can add intelligible, knowledge-based insights to text, going beyond the capabilities of an AI-powered translation. This can speed up information exchange. As a result, there can be an increase in collaboration and trust, which could lead to improved productivity and successful decision-making.

The ethics of using AI in procurement

AI in procurement has the potential to increase productivity and save costs for businesses. It also brings up ethical issues which demand attention such as:

1. AI algorithms can perpetuate biases, leading to discriminatory outcomes. Organizations should ensure AI systems are designed to mitigate bias.
2. Organizations should consider the impact of AI on their workforce and develop strategies to mitigate negative effects like unemployment.
3. AI systems must comply with privacy regulations to protect personal data. It collects confidential data such as vendor information, procurement history, and other data which needs to be safeguarded as per privacy regulations.

The role of ChatGPT in sustainable procurement

As an AI language model, ChatGPT can play a significant role in Procurement automation by providing guidance and insights to procurement professionals on sustainable practices and initiatives. Here are a few ways ChatGPT in procurement can be helpful:

1. Providing information on procurement best practices

ChatGPT can answer questions and provide information on sustainable procurement practices, such as vendor performance, sustainability, and tracking.

2. Supporting vendor sustainability evaluation

ChatGPT in procurement  can assist vendor performance by providing insights on metrics and benchmarks and can make a decision to carry on with them or not.

3. Recommending vendors

ChatGPT can provide recommendations on quality products that meet Procurement process, based on ethical sourcing and reasonable prices.

4. Monitoring and reporting performance

ChatGPT in procurement can help monitor and prepare reports by analyzing procurement data and providing insights on progress towards business goals, identifying areas for improvement, and highlighting successes.

How to use ChatGPT for procurement?

1. ChatGPT highlights the best practices in digital procurement process, including how to identify and assess vendors, negotiate contracts, and manage relationships with vendors. This can make the procurement process easier to manage.
2. Small firms can streamline the procurement process by using ChatGPT to automate operations like contract management and supplier communication. This can lessen the possibility of errors while also saving time and resources.
3. ChatGPT in procurement can evaluate procurement data and spot chances for cost savings, including negotiating better terms with vendors or locating more affordable goods or services. This can lower the cost of procurement for small firms and boost their financial performance.

Can we implement ChatGPT in procurement and supply chain management?

ChatGPT is still in its development stage so we need to look into a few things before going for it full-fledged with it. The standardization of generative AI integration into supply chain management, ERP, and planning systems is just the beginning. By combining ChatGPT and procurement software businesses can build new custom applications powered. 

However, in order for organizations to fully benefit from generative AI or ChatGPT, for that matter it is necessary to test, develop, set up, and examine the application across processes. Although ChatGPT in procurement and similar tools radically transform AI in daily operations necessitates complete confidence in its accuracy, dependability, and scalability.