From Automation to Autonomy: Jakob Reuschlein Joins The DigiGov Podcast

Public procurement rarely makes the headlines. It’s often seen as back-office paperwork: forms, approvals, purchase orders and a constant stream of requests. But every new service, every piece of equipment and every contract that keeps the public sector running goes through it. When procurement slows down, so does everything else.

In episode #12 of The DigiGov Podcast, recorded live at DigiGov Expo, host Piers Kelly sits down with Jakob Reuschlein, Vice President Customers at Procure Ai, to explore how AI agents could change the way the public sector buys, and what that means for the people doing the buying.

Why this conversation matters now

Public sector commercial teams are under pressure from every direction. Budgets are growing, skilled staff are hard to find, and new procurement rules are changing how buying is done. Meanwhile, suppliers are already using generative AI to write bids and responses faster than ever. That leaves many buyers trying to keep up with tools that haven’t moved on in years.

Jakob argues that procurement isn’t just an admin function. It’s a question of state capacity, and getting it right could free public sector teams to focus on innovation instead of paperwork.

What’s covered in the episode

• Procurement as a foundation of the state. Why procurement has been overlooked for so long, and how it could become a source of innovation rather than a back-office chore.
• The AI arms race. What happens when suppliers use AI and buyers don’t? Jakob makes a candid admission about his own experience on the other side of the table.
• Forms, processes and trust. Are forms and tick boxes the problem, or is it something else? Jakob explains why transparency and accountability still matter in the age of AI.
• Keeping humans in charge. Where should AI agents be allowed to act on their own, and where must a human always have the final say?
• Agents vs automation. Not every task needs agentic AI. Jakob explains the difference between traditional automation and AI agents, and why the best approach often uses both.
• Working with legacy systems. How public bodies can bring in AI without ripping out the systems they already rely on.
• Opening doors for SMEs. How AI could help public buyers look beyond the usual suppliers and give smaller, local businesses a fairer chance.
• Getting started. Lessons from rolling out AI in public organisations, and the first workflow Jakob would hand to an AI agent on a Monday morning.

Who should listen

This episode is a must-listen for public sector buyers, commercial leads, finance directors and anyone involved in procurement reform. It’s also valuable for suppliers who want to understand how public buying is changing. Jakob is practical and direct, and he has clear views on both the promise and the limits of AI.

Listen now

[Listen to episode #12 with Jakob Reuschlein below, or find The DigiGov Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms. You can also learn more about Procure Ai.

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