How We Think

This article explores how AI could reshape the role of the procurement professional—not by replacing them, but by expanding their purpose. We consider three possible shifts: the evolution of procurement as a strategic function, the partnership between humans and machines, and the challenge of embedding ethics and trust in AI-enabled processes.

A conversation with Melbourne Partner, Mark Bainbridge

It’s Thursday and you’re looking forward to an hour of kayaking on the weekend – and that’s after an estimated 17.6 hours of ferrying kids to part-time jobs, catchups and parties. Instead, you’re hit with ‘Propulsion Failure.’ This isn’t a euphemism, but rather a warning light telling you to glide your car to the curb. Cut to: Wednesday. You’ve forgone the kayaking, but the child ferrying continues apace. Many thanks to the parents-in-law for the loaner, but you’re still without a replacement car.

It’s a rare employer who supports their newly admitted solicitor to take a sabbatical overseas— to explore new professional opportunities, work on their own business, and return with fresh insights and renewed purpose. But that’s exactly what Bobbi Campbell and the team at Synergy Law did for me.

Not only is the Commonwealth Government a big spender, but it has an almost incalculable number of suppliers and stakeholders across a diverse range of activities – from purchasing submarines and warships for the ADF, art for the National Gallery and underwriting massive infrastructure projects. The list could go on and on – considering the Federal Government awards about 70,000 contracts annually, valued at between $50 billion to $70 billion.

Back in the mists of time, 2007 to be precise, the Commonwealth Ombudsman issued an incredibly useful Fact Sheet – Ten Principles for Good Administration. The Ombudsman’s ‘Ten Commandments’ contain evergreen principles about good administration that are as useful today, if not more so. And that’s not because of the advent of AI and automated decision-making. These Ten Commandments not only underpin good decision-making, but they are also key ‘principles’ that govern any ‘rules’ that are set by humans – and especially if there is ever a ‘machine in the loop.’