FINANCE & SPEND
t Amazon Business Exchange 2026, procurement leaders explored how agentic AI, better data and digital transformation are moving procurement beyond automation and towards a more strategic future.
Procurement is entering a new era. The conversation is no longer centred around simply digitising processes or automating repetitive tasks. Instead, organisations are looking towards artificial intelligence that can help teams make better decisions, anticipate demand and unlock new sources of value.
That was the key message at Amazon Business Exchange( ABX) 2026, where procurement leaders from across Europe gathered at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London to discuss the future of business buying. The event brought together senior leaders from organisations including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Liberty Global, Deliveroo and Swarovski to explore how procurement is responding to increasing complexity, rising expectations and the need to deliver greater strategic value.
Opening the event, Storme Martin, Head of Marketing, UK & EU CPS at Amazon, highlighted the purpose behind ABX: creating a space where procurement professionals can share experiences, exchange ideas and explore new approaches to innovation.“ Many forwardthinking procurement professionals from different industries” had gathered to“ share ideas and drive innovation”, he said, reinforcing the importance of collaboration as organisations navigate rapid technological change.
Moving from automation to action The shift towards AI was a major theme throughout the event, with Amazon Business leaders arguing that the next stage of procurement transformation will be driven by agentic AI.
Céline Vuillequez, Vice President, Amazon Business Europe, explained that while many organisations are exploring AI adoption, implementation remains a challenge. The opportunity now lies in moving beyond experimentation and embedding AI into everyday procurement workflows.
“ Agentic AI is moving procurement from systems that advise to systems that act,” she said.
52 August 2026