We tend to think of our current challenges as unique — multiple systems, fragmented data, siloed processes, and organizational inertia that seem to make change nearly impossible.
But history shows that every technological leap — from electricity to the internet — started in confusion, disbelief, and fragmentation. What looks inevitable in hindsight often felt incomprehensible at the time.
Today, as AI and quantum computing reshape what is possible, procurement and business leaders face the same paradox: the science races ahead while our organizations are still catching up.
| Era | Breakthrough | Initial reaction | What unlocked adoption | Lesson for today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1870s–1900s | Electricity | “Dangerous, unnecessary—gas works fine.” Factories had no wiring; cities no grids. | Standardized voltage, mass electrification, affordable motors. | Infrastructure takes decades. Once the grid existed, new industries (appliances, communication, lighting) exploded. |
| 1950s–1970s | Computers | “Too big, too costly for most companies.” Only governments & labs could afford mainframes. | Miniaturization, transistors, then microprocessors made computing ubiquitous. | Scale and cost curves redefine who can play. Expect the same for quantum and AI hardware. |
| 1980s–1990s | Internet | “A toy for academics.” Many corporates banned early internet use. | Browsers, TCP/IP standards, and accessible PCs created a usable network. | Common protocols are more revolutionary than any single app. Think APIs, data fabrics, interoperability for AI. |
| 2000s | Mobile & Cloud | “Why would anyone trust their data offsite?” | Broadband, smartphones, and SaaS trust models matured. | Once convenience > fear, behavior flips fast. AI “co-workers” and quantum-as-a-service will follow similar paths. |
| 2010s–2020s | AI (deep learning) | “Neural nets failed before—why now?” | GPU acceleration, big data, open frameworks, and community culture (open source). | Democratization beats secrecy. Platforms that open tools and data will dominate. |
| 2020s–2030s (in motion) | Quantum & AI convergence | “Too abstract, too unstable, too risky.” | As coherence and interoperability improve, hybrid computing becomes tangible. | Early believers create standards, attract ecosystems, and own the future. |
Why this matters for large organizations
Every company today is a mosaic of legacy and ambition — hundreds of systems, processes, and cultures, each optimized for a different time. The challenge isn’t lack of innovation. It’s coherence.
- Systems: decades of layering, partial integrations, inconsistent definitions.
- Data: scattered, redundant, and often locked in silos.
- Processes: complex, political, and shaped by compliance rather than creativity.
- Culture: risk-averse, under pressure, short on time to think or test.
Yet the same has always been true before every major technological leap. Transformation doesn’t begin with technology — it begins with courage to test, connect, and imagine new structures.
The future of work — and of procurement
At CPO Outlook 2025, we’ll look beyond efficiency and into what these breakthroughs mean for how we work, who does the work, and why.
If AI becomes as invisible and ubiquitous as electricity — and if quantum computing becomes as normalized as the cloud — then the real transformation will be human:
- How we learn and collaborate.
- How we define value and trust decisions.
- How procurement leads coherence across business, data, and innovation.
History reminds us that disruption always feels impossible until infrastructure, people, and purpose align.
That’s where we are now.
CPO Outlook 2025 take place October 15th & 16th in Stockholm >>Register to grab one of the final seats