Description

In this final episode of our Raindrop x Extropy series, host Kevin Zirkle sits down with Ward Karson, COO of Raindrop, for a forward-looking conversation about how AI is reshaping sourcing, procurement, and finance decision-making.

AI is no longer an abstract concept. It is embedded, accessible, and already delivering measurable value for the modern Office of the CFO. But the most exciting part? We’re just getting started.

In this episode, Kevin and Ward explore:

• Where most organizations really are on the AI maturity curve
• How AI is already transforming sourcing, contract management, supplier intelligence, and spend analytics
• The rise of natural-language insights for finance and procurement
• Why autonomous sourcing is closer than people think
• The essential role of governance, transparency, and human oversight
• How Raindrop’s graph-based AI model drives smarter, faster, more strategic decisions
• What CFOs should consider as they plan AI investments for the next 3–5 years

Ward also shares a real-world story of a global enterprise that has achieved 80% automation in sourcing, freeing teams to focus on strategy, innovation, and value creation.

If you’ve been following this six-episode Raindrop series, this finale brings it all together, showing the future of procurement, sourcing, and finance intelligence through the lens of AI.