Public Procurement Group Objectives 2026-2027

3. Digital, Data and AI

Objective 2: Digital, Data and AI

Set clear direction for a ‘Once for Scotland’ approach to the use of digital tools, data and AI in public procurement, enabling greater standardisation, transparency and efficiency across the procurement lifecycle, while supporting safe, ethical and scalable innovation across all sectors.

• Specific: procurement focused digital, data and AI direction and improved awareness.
• Measurable: roadmap agreed, governance defined, priorities identified.
• Achievable: direction setting, coordination and lesson sharing to align activity and reduce duplication, rather than system selection.
• Relevant: core enabler of productivity, reform and value.
• Time-aware: designed to evolve as capability and technology mature.

Quick wins

• Produce a Scotland-wide snapshot of current procurement digital and AI activity, identifying existing tools, pilots and immediate opportunities for collaboration or reuse.
• Create a new Digital, Data and AI sub-forum reporting into PPG.

Proposed actions for public procurement forums to take forward

• Establish the Digital, Data and AI sub-forum to provide leadership, coordination and oversight of digital and AI activity in procurement.
• Agree its role in horizon scanning, sharing practice, shaping direction and advising PPG.
• Develop a public sector-wide pipeline of digital and AI activity in procurement. Identify priority opportunities and areas for collaboration or reuse.