AI Procurement
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about our work, methods and areas of expertise – helping public purpose organisations understand how we support better digital, commercial and procurement decisions for lasting public value.
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"Acquiring AI systems, and using AI to improve procurement operations. Specifically, the process of sourcing, contracting and deploying AI systems in an organisation, and using AI to improve transparency, value for money, and efficiency in procurement operations” - David Kershaw.
“It is critical to apply all activities of the Digital Commercial Lifecycle® to maximise well-being impact and public value with AI systems, and when using AI to improve operational effectiveness, efficiencies and inclusion across any of these activities." - Warren Smith.
When we say 'AI' we draw from prevailing definitions used by multilateral organisations, such as the OECD, the United Nations, and the World Bank.
Digital commercial reframes public money as an investment in better outcomes, not simply a cost to be controlled. It helps teams navigate complexity across the AI Procurement cycle – from early problem-framing and market engagement to contracting, delivery and assurance – so digital investments maximise public value and manage risk responsibly.
It also embraces experimentation: targeting small amounts of public funding towards rapid learning about what works, what doesn’t, and what solves real problems for users. By building digital commercial capability at scale through communities of professional practice, teams can adopt new methods that support transparency, accountability and responsible innovation.
Done well, AI Procurement equips public buyers to navigate uncertainty while meeting the needs of people and planet, now and for future generations.
AI Procurement cannot be treated as a one-off buying exercise. AI capabilities evolve, learn from data and affect people, services and decisions over time. Viewing procurement through the full digital commercial lifecycle helps public buyers connect early problem definition, market shaping, data readiness, risk assessment, contract design, delivery governance and ongoing assurance.
This lifecycle view supports better decisions about whether to build, buy, reuse or collaborate, and helps teams avoid locking in unsuitable technologies, suppliers or operating models. It also ensures ethical, legal, security, accessibility and sustainability considerations are built in from the start and revisited throughout delivery. For public sector buyers, this means procuring AI in a way that remains accountable, adaptable and focused on lasting public value.
