Executive Summary
AI has the attention of every procurement leader. Turning it into value is proving harder.
A survey of 100 senior European CPOs shows a function that has moved past asking whether AI works. The question now is where automation should end and human judgement should begin.
Every organization surveyed has started reshaping its operating model, yet 60% still lack a clear, comprehensive roadmap and 48% struggle to demonstrate commercial ROI.
Data is the biggest obstacle. Poor data infrastructure and quality is cited by 77% of respondents as a barrier to adoption, and it is the leading obstacle to deploying AI autonomously (31%).
The 2026 European CPO Report examines how procurement leaders view AI, how they govern and fund it, and what the function looks like as routine work is automated.
It covers where leaders want to spend more time, led by supplier innovation and collaboration (61%), and which decisions should stay human-led, including risk acceptance (61%) and supplier relationship management (57%).
It includes perspectives from leaders at Bosch, Bridgestone, Evotec, Hilti, Keurig Dr Pepper and Capita.
For CPOs, the real test of AI is whether their data, governance and operating model are ready to support it.
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FAQs
Poor data infrastructure and data quality, cited by 77% of European CPOs surveyed. This outranks the lack of a clear plan (60%) and difficulty demonstrating ROI (48%). Without clean, connected data, AI struggles to deliver reliable insights or measurable business value.
Shared ownership is the most common model. 39% of European CPOs report joint leadership between procurement and IT, compared with 29% where the CPO leads alone. 78% fund AI through broader digital transformation programs rather than dedicated procurement budgets.
CPOs most often name risk acceptance (61%), supplier relationship management (57%) and strategic supplier negotiations (40%). AI can prepare analysis and recommendations for these decisions, but judgement, experience and final accountability stay with procurement professionals.
Poor data quality is the leading obstacle (31%), followed by governance concerns (21%) and internal capability (13%). Better data (39%) and proven ROI (21%) are the factors most likely to increase confidence in more autonomous AI.
As AI automates routine work, CPOs want more time for supplier innovation and collaboration (61%), risk management and resilience (51%), and sustainability and circular value chains (35%). The role shifts from transactional activity towards strategic, relationship-driven decision-making.