Today’s procurement challenges are sparking new ways of thinking, and the use of AI in procurement contracts is at the center of that shift. As organizations face ongoing supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty, procurement leaders are turning to AI to gain a clearer view of contract data, proactively manage risk, and streamline processes.

From automating repetitive tasks to navigating complex challenges, AI helps teams enhance flexibility and anticipate issues—ensuring they can handle even the most unpredictable situations. 

In a recent Evisort webinar, Optimize Procurement with Contract AI, Trisha McRoberts, VP of Strategic Procurement at Golden State Foods, joined Tom Boyd, Director of Strategic Consulting at Evisort, to share their firsthand experiences on what’s really working with procurement contract optimization with AI.

They explored the technology’s impact on contract data visibility, supplier management, and compliance, and shared insights on how AI-powered contract automation for procurement can empower teams to make smarter, faster decisions.

One insight that stood out from the conversation was how centralizing contract data can boost efficiency and improve decision-making. Trisha McRoberts explained, “We aimed to establish a centralized process that everyone could follow.” This consistency didn’t just help her team—it really made a difference across departments, keeping things running smoothly for a large organization.

For procurement teams everywhere, creating a single source of truth helps break down barriers, leading to better decision-making and stronger alignment across the business. Centralization also plays a key role in procurement efficiency with AI contract intelligence, enabling teams to manage contracts more effectively while identifying opportunities to optimize spending.

Dealing with different contract formats is a common challenge in procurement, as anyone in the field knows. Some contracts come from internal templates, while others might be from vendors or customers. This mix can make it hard to keep track of everything. “Reading through all of that and integrating that information to create one lens of truth can be time-consuming,” McRoberts shared.

AI helps solve this challenge by creating a single “lens” into the entire contract landscape. With AI in procurement contracts, teams don’t have to sift through separate documents but can instead see the bigger picture at a glance.

Another key insight was the benefit of consistent language in contract clauses. When her team adopted a standardized approach, McRoberts noted, “We’ve developed a process that helps us quickly identify standardized terms for specific areas within our contract requirements.” This means less time reviewing each contract individually and greater confidence that they’re staying compliant.

As Tom Boyd put it, “The real value lies in simplifying the process of storing contracts in a centralized repository.” This repository acts as the foundation for contract management AI tools for procurement, enabling procurement leaders to focus on strategic goals rather than repetitive tasks.

During the pandemic, McRoberts and her team learned firsthand how valuable AI-driven insights can be when dealing with unexpected events. Force majeure clauses, often overlooked in normal times, became essential during supply chain disruptions.

“Force majeures were an area of focus,” she said. “Evisort enabled us to be much more expedient in identifying where relevant clauses and potential risk resided, so we could address them proactively.”

This example shows just how critical AI in procurement contracts is during a crisis. Fast access to important contract terms means procurement leaders can act quickly, which can make a huge difference when timing is critical.

Switching to a new technology can feel overwhelming, but McRoberts noted that onboarding was surprisingly smooth. “The great thing about Evisort is, once you're in it, the training is great.” She described the platform as “very intuitive” and more advanced than other tools they’d tried. This ease of use allowed her team to stay focused on their goals instead of getting slowed down by tech issues.

The conversation from this webinar shows just how much AI can help procurement teams work smarter. By embracing AI in procurement contracts, teams can centralize their data, improve compliance, and uncover savings opportunities. AI isn’t just about speeding up contract management; it’s about building a more flexible, resilient procurement function that’s ready for any challenge.

For more insights and practical examples, watch the full webinar.