When Paris Talked Procurement: Insights from the Procurement AI World Tour

TL;DR

• The Procurement AI World Tour Paris Edition united top French procurement leaders from L’Oréal, Air France KLM, Wendel Group, and Covea to explore AI’s real-world impact.
• Hosted by Pierre Meraud and Brice Phosarajdavong, the event featured a live demo of Zycus’s Merlin Agentic AI Platform, showing AI agents autonomously managing sourcing, negotiations, and compliance.
• Discussions highlighted France’s pragmatic, human-centered approach to AI — prioritizing governance, purpose, and value over hype.
• Attendees debated how to simplify intake processes, anticipate supplier risks, and accelerate negotiation cycles while maintaining compliance.
• The event emphasized a shift from AI assistance to AI autonomy, proving that procurement’s future is driven by agentic AI guided by human expertise.
• Paris set the stage for the next stops in Madrid, Vienna, and London, continuing the journey toward smarter, scalable, AI-powered procurement across Europe.

Introduction

On September 30, 2025, we gathered in the heart of Paris for the Procurement AI World Tour – Paris Edition, and I can honestly say — it was one of those evenings that remind me why this industry inspires me every day.

We brought together procurement leaders from across France — from L’Oréal, Wendel Group Air France KLM, Covea, and many more — to explore one big question:

What happens when AI stops assisting… and starts acting?

No Slides, No Buzzwords — Just AI in Motion

That night, we decided to do something different.
No PowerPoint. No long speeches.

Instead, my colleague Brice Phosarajdavong and I showcased the Merlin Agentic Platform — live. Real AI Agents managing supplier creation, sourcing, negotiations, and compliance right before everyone’s eyes.

The reactions in the room said it all. This wasn’t another tech demo. It was a glimpse into how procurement can truly evolve when AI shifts from guidance to execution.

Conversations That Matter

After the live session, we turned the spotlight to our guests — and what followed was one of the most engaging roundtables I’ve been part of.

We spoke about challenges that are uniquely French yet globally relevant:

• How do we simplify intake processes while ensuring regulatory compliance?
• Can AI help procurement leaders anticipate supplier risks before they escalate?
• How can we accelerate negotiation cycles and still stay strategic?

Every participant brought a perspective rooted in experience, curiosity, and a shared belief — that AI’s role in procurement must be purposeful, not performative.

A French Approach to AI: Pragmatic, Human, and Bold

What I admire most about the discussions in Paris is their balance.
There’s an openness to innovation, but also a clear demand for value.

French procurement leaders don’t want AI for AI’s sake — they want Agentic AI that complements human expertise, strengthens governance, and delivers measurable impact.
That’s exactly the shift we’re seeing: from automation to autonomy.

A Growing Community of Innovators

The Paris edition was special — intimate, insightful, and genuinely collaborative.
Over dinner, the conversations continued — about ESG, compliance, and the cultural side of digital change. You could feel a community forming — one that isn’t just talking about the future of procurement but actively building it.

To everyone who joined us — merci. Your insights and openness made the evening exceptional.

As we take the Procurement AI World Tour to Vienna, Madrid, London, I carry one key takeaway from Paris:

Procurement’s next chapter isn’t written by technology alone — it’s written by people bold enough to embrace it.

The Road Ahead

As I write this, we’re already preparing for our next stop: Madrid, 6^th November, 2025. If Amsterdam was about setting the foundation, Paris will be about scaling the energy—with new voices, fresh perspectives, and even deeper conversations around unlocking deep value with AI.

To everyone who joined us in Paris—thank you. Your presence and participation made this kickoff truly special.

Let’s keep the momentum going.

Get started with Zycus today.

FAQs

Q1. What was the main focus of the Procurement AI World Tour in Paris?
The event centered on how Agentic AI transforms procurement from assistance to autonomous execution — demonstrated live via the Merlin Agentic AI Platform.

Q2. Who attended the Paris Edition?
Procurement leaders from top French enterprises including L’Oréal, Wendel Group, Air France KLM, and Covea participated in the discussions.

Q3. What made the event different from typical procurement conferences?
No slides, no jargon — just a live AI demo showing real procurement agents in action, followed by open conversations on strategy and compliance.

Q4. What key themes emerged from the discussions?
Themes included simplifying intake processes, anticipating supplier risks, accelerating negotiations, and ensuring AI governance and compliance.

Q5. What’s next for the Procurement AI World Tour?
Following Paris, the tour continues to Madrid, Vienna, and London, focusing on scaling AI adoption and unlocking deep procurement value across Europe.

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