Procurement stands at a critical inflection point. The traditional model, reliant on manual processes and fragmented data, is no longer sustainable in the face of growing complexity, supply chain disruptions and economic volatility. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI) — a transformative force reshaping procurement from a tactical function to a strategic powerhouse. Leading research firms like Gartner and Forrester agree: AI can dramatically reduce cycle times, improve compliance, surface new insights and enhance supplier collaboration.

In fact, AI is now viewed as essential infrastructure for the next-generation Source-to-Pay (S2P) function. This paper explores 101 real-world AI use cases across the procurement lifecycle — from analytics and sourcing to invoicing, ESG and intelligent automation. Each use case is paired with a practical description and clear business value, helping procurement leaders cut through the hype and understand how to operationalize AI today. While many organizations begin with automation or predictive analytics, the most advanced teams are moving toward agentic AI — autonomous systems that connect, learn and act across workflows. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your AI roadmap, this primer offers inspiration, structure and strategic clarity for your journey.