Enter the world of AI and how it's transforming businesses…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping industries, including procurement, and Jessica O'Malley is at the forefront of this change. As a Technology Supply Chain Category Manager at Southwest Airlines, Jessica has fully embraced AI, turning her curiosity into a driving force for innovation in her field. She shares her journey, key takeaways from her AI in Business certification, and how AI is paving the way for the future of procurement.
You’ve recently completed an AI in Business certification program at Arizona State University. What motivated you to pursue this?
I was chatting with a mentor who mentioned the potential of AI and its impact on procurement. We discussed whether AI would enhance or disrupt our jobs, and that conversation really piqued my interest. A few weeks later, I received an email from Arizona State, where I’m an alum, about their AI in Business program. It felt like the perfect opportunity to learn more and gain a deeper understanding of AI, especially as it becomes more relevant in my field. I wanted to be ahead of the curve and learn how AI could help me in my career.
Would you recommend similar programs to other procurement professionals?
Absolutely. I think it’s crucial for professionals to learn more about AI and what it can do for their roles. There’s a lot of fear around AI taking jobs, but from my experience, it’s more about using AI to work smarter, not harder. The more you understand it, the more you realize it’s here to enhance what we do, not replace it. I would recommend other procurement professionals explore educational programs to gain a better grasp of AI and how it can improve their daily operations.
What was the most valuable insight you gained from the program?
The biggest takeaway for me was realizing how AI can enhance daily tasks – both professionally and personally. It’s all about learning how to ask the right questions. During the program, we learned how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to troubleshoot coding errors or improve data analysis. I found that AI helps you work more efficiently, whether it’s for professional tasks like contract management or personal projects. It’s really a game-changer once you start applying AI to your workflow.
How do you plan to apply what you've learned in your career?
I’ve already started applying AI in my work, often using ChatGPT instead of Google to think through problems or come up with new ideas. For example, I use it to streamline contract negotiations or help with data visualization. AI helps me see things from different angles and makes my work more efficient, allowing me to produce better results. It’s all about staying ahead in the fast-paced world of procurement, and AI has given me a significant advantage.
As someone who's now deeply involved with AI, what trends do you see emerging in the business world, particularly in procurement?
AI is definitely leveling up the game in many ways, especially when it comes to data-driven decision-making. AI can help businesses process large datasets more efficiently and identify insights that humans might miss. In procurement, AI-driven automation can streamline processes like vendor management, purchase orders, and data cleansing. It’s all about making our jobs easier and allowing us to focus on higher-value tasks. AI has the potential to elevate every aspect of procurement by making us more efficient and insightful in our decision-making.
Jessica O'Malley exemplifies how embracing AI can transform a procurement professional's role. Her journey demonstrates that by adopting AI, we can enhance – not replace – our day-to-day work, opening up new possibilities for efficiency and innovation.