Governance and AI: Building Trust into Innovation
Artificial intelligence has huge potential across the procurement industry, but its introduction must be handled with care.
Chris Whitlock, AI Lead and Technical Services Manager at NOE CPC, takes a closer look at the governance and safeguards in place as we continue to grow our AI services.
“Artificial intelligence is moving quickly, but for organisations working in procurement, technology alone is not enough. AI must be introduced with care, structure and accountability. Within NOE CPC, governance and technology are not treated as separate conversations. They are intertwined. Every system we design, test and deploy is built with governance front and centre, because trust has to be earned before innovation can truly add value.
“As Technical Services Manager at NOE CPC, and as our AI lead, I have had the opportunity to help drive AI innovation across the procurement space. My focus has always been on making sure that the tools we introduce are not only useful and forward-thinking, but also safe, ethical and aligned with the needs of our members. AI should support people, not replace their judgement.
Strong governance foundations
“This approach is at the heart of CPC Searchlight, our AI service for membership. Searchlight has been developed on strong governance foundations, with a secure workspace, UK data residency and clear safeguards to ensure that information is not used to train any models. These principles matter. Our members need confidence that the information they work with is protected, that data is handled responsibly, and that the technology supports good decision-making.
“We have taken the same approach with our custom agents for procurement teams. These are developed through a grounded testing process, with a focus on accuracy, relevance, usability and risk. We test outputs carefully, challenge assumptions and ensure that the technology is performing in a way that supports real procurement activity.
Human oversight remains central
“Alongside the technology, we have also matured our AI policy and the policies that support our userbase. This helps ensure that human oversight remains central to how AI is used. AI can help summarise, search, draft and analyse, but people must continue to verify information, apply professional judgement and take responsibility for decisions.
“Our working groups also play an important role in this. By bringing together different voices, experiences and perspectives, we can better understand the opportunities and risks of AI. This collaborative approach helps us operate ethically and ensures that our governance continues to evolve as the technology develops.
An important milestone
“This groundwork has recently supported NOE CPC in completing ISO 42001 certification, an important milestone in our AI journey. For us, this is not just a badge or a one-off achievement. It is a commitment to maintaining best practice, continually improving and ensuring that responsible AI remains embedded in the way we work.
“The future of AI in procurement is full of opportunity. Used well, it can reduce duplication, improve access to information and support better outcomes for members and stakeholders. But that future depends on strong foundations. At NOE CPC, we are building those foundations through governance, collaboration and a clear commitment to responsible innovation.
“AI should make our work smarter, but governance ensures it makes our work better.”