Glossary
AI Procurement
The rules and practices public and private buyers use to acquire AI systems, data or related services.
Last reviewed 2026-08-22
In plain language
Procurement is a powerful governance tool because many AI systems enter society through contracts, not statutes. Public buyers can require documentation, audit rights, accessibility, labor protections and exit clauses. Poor procurement can lock agencies into opaque vendors or violate existing administrative-law duties. Guidance exists from governments and international organizations, but practice varies widely.
Why it matters for AI governance
For civil servants and watchdogs, procurement files are often the first place an AI system becomes visible—and contestable.