[Editor’s Note: Ardent Partners recently published its Accounts Payable-themed report, “Accounts Payable 2025: BIG Trends and Predictions”. Over the next several weeks, this site will feature our series highlighting the key BIG Trends and Predictions from the report.
As we step into 2025, the world of Accounts Payable (AP) is poised for a transformative year, driven by the accelerating forces of artificial intelligence (“AI”), advanced automation, and the growing recognition of AP’s potential to deliver measurable operational and financial impact.
Since the pandemic began, AP has emerged as a strategic cornerstone for businesses looking to streamline operations, enhance cash flow management, and bolster profitability. AI-powered solutions are helping to redefine the function; the need for smarter cash management and stronger supplier relationships are also aiding the cause.
In this new age, smart executives have identified AP as an area of investment and a lever for driving strategic value. This attention has empowered many AP teams to move beyond transactional tasks, embracing roles that directly influence financial performance and operational excellence.
This Week’s BIG Trend and Prediction
BIG Trend #3 – Solution Providers Go All-In on AI
The AI train is at the station. Refusing to be left behind, a majority of ePayables and enterprise software providers have gone “all-in” with their AI investments. ePayables providers are investing heavily in AI to remain competitive in the market against current rivals and avoid potential disruption by AI-native startups. There is a clear expectation of all AP organizations and new customers that deep integration of AI exists in provider platforms. Similarly, the need to deliver cutting-edge AI features in new product releases will be critical in preventing current customers from migrating to competitors with more advanced offerings. In time, maintaining market share and ensuring long-term relevance will be driven by more than a provider’s AI offerings; in 2025, however, nothing will be more important.
Prediction #3 – Expanded RFP Scope for ePayables Solutions
In 2025, AP teams will significantly refine their approach to their RFPs, placing greater emphasis on AI capabilities. Expect new and expanded sections in formal RFPs for ePayables solutions to include detailed specifications for AI-powered features, such as:
(1) Currently available AI use cases
(2) Data quality and security
(3) Performance metrics
(4) Data requirements and model training specifications
(5) Vendor expertise
(6) AI Roadmap.
The evaluation process will also involve rigorous testing of AI capabilities through longer and more detailed vendor demonstrations as well as proof-of-concept projects that leverage internal AP/finance data. Overall, this shift will necessitate a deeper understanding of AI technologies and their potential applications within the AP function and a reliance on more third-party experts to guide the process. Visit Payables Place for recommendations on how to craft an ePayables RFP in the AI age.
AP 2025 BIG Trends & Predictions (Part 4): Next week we’ll explore a new trend and prediction — AP’s Wild West Approach to AI and Inflation and Supplier Price Increases Ramp-Up in H2-2025 , respectively.
