AI Procurement: How to Evaluate and Adopt AI Vendors and Solutions
45mIntermediate2026-02-17
Authors

Merve Hickok
Course details
Make confident and informed decisions when selecting AI solutions by learning how to evaluate AI solutions and vendors. Explore the intricacies of AI procurement and learn how it differs from traditional software acquisition. Discover how to conduct AI risk, impact, and cost analyses. Gain skills in assessing technical capabilities, data governance, and making ethical considerations. Learn how to negotiate AI-specific vendor contracts and how to establish systems for ongoing performance monitoring and compliance.
Globally renowned AI expert Merve Hickok shares best practices for AI procurement to help fill critical gaps and address the fast-growing needs of organizations. Her course is tailored for enterprise procurement professionals, including those in acquisition, legal, finance, HR, and cybersecurity. By the end of this course, acquisition decision-makers will be more equipped to navigate AI vendor sourcing and contract management and make informed, ethical decisions.
Learning objectives
Identify procurement challenges, specific to AI, that demand different approaches.
Follow AI vendor assessment processes that account for both the opportunities and limitations of current AI technologies.
Evaluate AI vendors systematically to assess technical capabilities, data governance, performance benchmarks, integration requirements, and governance considerations.
Negotiate vendor contracts containing AI-specific terms.
Establish monitoring systems for AI vendor performance, compliance, maintenance, and risk mitigation.
List possible ways to use AI to support the procurement process.
Globally renowned AI expert Merve Hickok shares best practices for AI procurement to help fill critical gaps and address the fast-growing needs of organizations. Her course is tailored for enterprise procurement professionals, including those in acquisition, legal, finance, HR, and cybersecurity. By the end of this course, acquisition decision-makers will be more equipped to navigate AI vendor sourcing and contract management and make informed, ethical decisions.
Learning objectives
Identify procurement challenges, specific to AI, that demand different approaches.
Follow AI vendor assessment processes that account for both the opportunities and limitations of current AI technologies.
Evaluate AI vendors systematically to assess technical capabilities, data governance, performance benchmarks, integration requirements, and governance considerations.
Negotiate vendor contracts containing AI-specific terms.
Establish monitoring systems for AI vendor performance, compliance, maintenance, and risk mitigation.
List possible ways to use AI to support the procurement process.
Concepts
Introduction
- Kickstart your AI procurement strategy
Due Diligence for Procuring AI
- Is it worth it Assessing the IRC (impact, risk, cost) of AI products
- Comparing expected AI impact with current baselines
- Understanding the full cost of AI systems
Why Procurement of AI is Different
- The unique challenges in procuring AI
- What are the possible risks of AI
- Assessing and prioritizing risks
Vendor Evaluation Framework
- Evaluating vendor data practices
- Why performance stability matters
- Can you trust GenAI benchmarks
- Assessing AI product safety and security
- Conducting proof-of-concept testing
Key Elements for AI Vendor Agreements
- Performance monitoring and guarantees
- Intellectual property rights and data ownership
- Addressing liability risks
AI-Enabled Procurement Workflows
- Market research, vendor risk analysis, and spend management
- Creating documentation
Conclusion
- Sustaining your AI procurement success
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