Latest news with #ShazKhan
Forbes
30-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Procurement Leaders Can Use Agentic AI And AI Agents Together
Shaz Khan is the CEO and co-founder of Vroozi, a digital procure-to-pay platform. Nearly every procurement leader I meet with voices the same challenge: doing more with fewer resources—without sacrificing compliance, quality or productivity. Organizations are increasingly turning to AI to help with this challenge, but many remain uncertain about how to embed these tools into their operations—specifically the distinction between AI agents and agentic AI. Understanding this difference is critical for procurement and supply chain leaders who want to stay competitive. AI Agents: Process-Driven Task Handlers AI agents require human interaction and specific instructions to accomplish a task or deliver an outcome. They operate within clearly defined parameters and output structured responses based on preprogrammed rules. We already interact with these agents daily—think of voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant, which can provide weather updates, check traffic or make reservations. In procurement, AI agents offer practical use cases. For example, a technician might scan a part number and type 'replacement motherboard'' into a chat interface. The AI agent could locate the item among preferred suppliers, provide pricing and delivery options and route the purchase order for approval—all triggered by a simple request. AI agents can also automate invoice processing by scanning documents, transferring data, routing approvals and initiating payments—tasks that typically take 20 minutes per invoice. Their value lies in managing repetitive tasks without fatigue. They excel at transactional activities like creating purchase orders, assisting in supplier sourcing and onboarding, and conducting evaluations. However, AI agents have limited decision-making ability and require manual retraining by developers to improve over time. Agentic AI: The Autonomous Orchestrator While AI agents act as task handlers, agentic AI can offer more autonomy with the potential to operate entire business processes with minimal human oversight. Rather than requiring a person to make each decision, agentic AI could evaluate scenarios, consider alternatives and select the best course of action using real-time data. One emerging use case is tail spend management. Most procurement leaders recognize that a small percentage of their suppliers generate the majority of their spending. Agentic AI could continuously monitor a high volume of suppliers, identify opportunities for consolidation, manage risk profiles and pinpoint alternative sources of supply—factoring in economic trends or policies and global disruptions. It could proactively recommend: 'These suppliers can offer your products at an average 6% lower cost, with faster delivery. Would you like to connect with them?" How They Work Together Agentic AI and AI agents do not have to be competing approaches—they're complementary. Organizations seeing the greatest impact might consider using both in tandem. For example, a chatbot (an AI agent) might receive the request: 'I need an Apple laptop for my new employee Sarah who is starting Thursday.' Agentic AI could then determine Sarah's needs based on her role and location. Here, the AI agent manages the front-end conversation, while the agentic system could handle the decision-making and process execution in the background. Procurement leaders who want to successfully leverage these technologies should begin with the following steps: 1. Educate On AI Terminology And Frameworks: Partner with subject matter experts and invest in training that covers agentic AI and generative AI. 2. Commit To Learning Through Experimentation: Form innovation teams to tackle real issues and iterate quickly. Accept that not every pilot will succeed. 3. Invest In Data Quality: AI needs clean, structured data to function properly. Poor data leads to inaccurate pricing and missed delivery targets. 4. Focus On Governance And Security: Autonomous processes increase the need for robust data security and compliance oversight. 5. Start With Clear Processes: AI performs best when integrated into structured workflows and well-defined procurement procedures. Empowering Procurement Professionals This evolution isn't about replacing procurement professionals—it's about enhancing their capabilities. The companies leading this shift aren't simply rebranding legacy tools with AI labels. Instead, they're building intelligent systems that handle massive data flows and generate actionable insights guide real decision-making. AI value lies in relevance and role-specific recommendations. A specialty chemicals buyer, for instance, might receive alerts about global volatility and sourcing recommendations tailored to their segment. Over time, the confusing terminology—agentic AI, agent AI, generative AI—will fade. What matters is how these tools are applied to reduce costs and solve real-world problems, freeing up human experts to focus on strategic, high-impact work. By starting with clear problem definitions, improving data quality and thoughtfully combining both agentic and agent-based approaches, procurement teams can move beyond the pressure of "doing more with less" and start doing more with strategic precision and purpose. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Desperate Eid for Pakistani cinema
A record 16 films are being released this Eidul Fitr in Pakistani cinemas. Among them are six Pakistani films, two Hollywood, three Indian Punjabi films and four foreign horror films from several countries. It's almost as if it's an attempt to break Kung Fu Panda's Po's record of holding as many dumplings in his mouth as he can. One reflects, scratch that, questions the choices we made along the way that led to this. The meme writes itself: someone(s) somewhere may have thought, "How do we end this drought in cinemas?" and came up with the idea to release everything everywhere all at result isn't merely due to a lack of strategy, but a desperation to fill the void. With no tentpole films releasing this Eid, the game is quantity over quality. Once, our cinemas were alive. The screens weren't being shut down at a record pace; enough Indian and Hollywood films came through to sustain the ecosystem and allowed the local industry to keep running. But that was many moons ago. The tide has turned and washed away what we believed was a long-lasting state of flourish. Between hope and delusion Now to repopulate these urban Mohenjo Daro multiplexes, we are breaking the dams and letting the cinemas flood with films. But is throwing everything at the wall, hoping something would stick, a good strategy? With the number of screens almost halved since 2018, is it a good idea to divide the remaining even further by releasing half a year's slate on one holiday? I'd think twice before chasing this mirage. It's clear that the industry is in a panic mode and this attempt is just one more trick being pulled out of a magic hat to get the audience's attention. However, delusion dresses herself up like hope. And blind hope is as dangerous as despair. Look at the lineup of local films: Shaz Khan's The Martial Artist, Kabeer, Ishq-e-Lahore, Qulfee, Abu Aleeha's Half Fry, and Lambi Judai. Now add to it A Minecraft Movie, Disney's disastrous Snow White, Indian Punjabi films in Diljit Dosanjh's Sardaarji 2, Tenu Ghodi Kinney Chadaya, and Mithde,Bill Skarsgard-starrer Locked, Indonesia's Anak Kunti and Almarhum, Germany's The Bitter Taste, the re-release of the anthology Teri Meri Kahaniyaan and Carry on Jatta 3. One wonders, how many shows can each of these sixteen films land at just a little over 100 screens? It's highly likely, if not a certainty, that none of these sixteen films would turn a profit. It's not like we expected the Shahroz Sabzwari-starrer Qulfee to bring back audiences to cinemas anyway. But perhaps The Martial Artist could have, if marketed properly. The foreign horror stack is an experiment because the Indonesian film Sijjin made more than 5 crore last year. At least we are now more open to films from other countries. Though, it would be wiser to spread them out instead of pile them up over Eid. As it stands, cinemas in Punjab are relying on Indian Punjabi films to carry them through the season. They have almost always done well and helped cinemas in the province sail through the storms. Carry on Jatta 3 made 30 crore during its original run in 2023. However, that poses another problem. Citing the Mawra Hocane-starrer as an example, exhibitor Nadeem Mandviwalla said, "Sanam Teri Kasam was a flop when it was released in 2016. The re-release made it successful. The films that have made money the first time around don't see much of an increase." By re-releasing successful films at the same time as the new films, you divide the screens further until each film will play two shows and then disappear. Mandviwalla also agreed that it's not possible for cinemas to play all the films. They will naturally pick two or three at best, depending on the number of screens available. A major issue here is the absence of any star-studded film which would attract anybody. Most of the local releases this Eid are the kind of films which lost the audience's trust over the years. It doesn't mean that only star-studded films should be released in cinemas, but that the quality of said films must be taken into consideration. I doubt any Pakistani is thinking, "Oh man, I can't wait to watch the re-edited version of Half Fry" or "I am dying to watch Shahroz Sabzwari dance wearing an unbuttoned flowery shirt in the mountains." Eid release fixation Under the current precarious circumstances, it would be a miracle if any film stands out and reigns supreme this Eid. This also points to our obsession with releasing films over Eid. Twice a year, people flock to the cinemas and then, we wait for the rest of the year. This is the same (lack of) strategy that has caused this implosion in the industry. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it, once again, points to the idea that we don't trust our own films enough and have to rely on Eid, arguments in favour of reduced ticket prices, and blaming the audience for not supporting Pakistani cinema and a bag full of conspiracies to deflect from the fact that we produce half-baked, stylistically outdated films. Some major releases are slated for the next Eid and a few more films this summer. But after that, nothing until 2026. The desperation and panic has led to planning for the next year instead. Whatever happens, rest assured, this Eid could very well be a filler as we wait for the meat at the next.
Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
One Eid, 16 films, and Pakistani cinema's attempt at survival
A record 16 films are being released this Eidul Fitr in Pakistani cinemas. Among them are six Pakistani films, two Hollywood, three Indian Punjabi films and four foreign horror films from several countries. It's almost as if it's an attempt to break Kung Fu Panda's Po's record of holding as many dumplings in his mouth as he can. One reflects, scratch that, questions the choices we made along the way that led to this. The meme writes itself: someone(s) somewhere may have thought, 'How do we end this drought in cinemas?' and came up with the idea to release everything everywhere all at once.T he result isn't merely due to a lack of strategy, but a desperation to fill the void. With no tentpole films releasing this Eid, the game is quantity over quality. Once, our cinemas were alive. The screens weren't being shut down at a record pace; enough Indian and Hollywood films came through to sustain the ecosystem and allowed the local industry to keep running. But that was many moons ago. The tide has turned and washed away what we believed was a long-lasting state of flourish. Between hope and delusion Now to repopulate these urban Mohenjo Daro multiplexes, we are breaking the dams and letting the cinemas flood with films. But is throwing everything at the wall, hoping something would stick, a good strategy? With the number of screens almost halved since 2018, is it a good idea to divide the remaining even further by releasing half a year's slate on one holiday? I'd think twice before chasing this mirage. It's clear that the industry is in a panic mode and this attempt is just one more trick being pulled out of a magic hat to get the audience's attention. However, delusion dresses herself up like hope. And blind hope is as dangerous as despair. Look at the lineup of local films: Shaz Khan's The Martial Artist, Kabeer, Ishq-e-Lahore, Qulfee, Abu Aleeha's Half Fry, and Lambi Judai. Now add to it A Minecraft Movie, Disney's disastrous Snow White, Indian Punjabi films in Diljit Dosanjh's Sardaarji 2, Tenu Ghodi Kinney Chadaya, and Mithde, Bill Skarsgard-starrer Locked, Indonesia's Anak Kunti and Almarhum, Germany's The Bitter Taste, the re-release of the anthology Teri Meri Kahaniyaan and Carry on Jatta 3. One wonders, how many shows can each of these sixteen films land at just a little over 100 screens? It's highly likely, if not a certainty, that none of these sixteen films would turn a profit. It's not like we expected the Shahroz Sabzwari-starrer Qulfee to bring back audiences to cinemas anyway. But perhaps The Martial Artist could have, if marketed properly. The foreign horror stack is an experiment because the Indonesian film Sijjin made more than PKR50 million last year. At least we are now more open to films from other countries. Though, it would be wiser to spread them out instead of pile them up over Eid. As it stands, cinemas in Punjab are relying on Indian Punjabi films to carry them through the season. They have almost always done well and helped cinemas in the province sail through the storms. Carry on Jatta 3 made PKR30 million during its original run in 2023. However, that poses another problem. Citing the Mawra Hocane-starrer as an example, exhibitor Nadeem Mandviwalla said, 'Sanam Teri Kasam was a flop when it was released in 2016. The re-release made it successful. The films that have made money the first time around don't see much of an increase.' By re-releasing successful films at the same time as the new films, you divide the screens further until each film will play two shows and then disappear. Mandviwalla also agreed that it's not possible for cinemas to play all the films. They will naturally pick two or three at best, depending on the number of screens available. A major issue here is the absence of any star-studded film which would attract anybody. Most of the local releases this Eid are the kind of films which lost the audience's trust over the years. It doesn't mean that only star-studded films should be released in cinemas, but that the quality of said films must be taken into consideration. I doubt any Pakistani is thinking, 'Oh man, I can't wait to watch the re-edited version of Half Fry' or 'I am dying to watch Shahroz Sabzwari dance wearing an unbuttoned flowery shirt in the mountains.' Eid release fixation Under the current precarious circumstances, it would be a miracle if any film stands out and reigns supreme this Eid. This also points to our obsession with releasing films over Eid. Twice a year, people flock to the cinemas and then, we wait for the rest of the year. This is the same (lack of) strategy that has caused this implosion in the industry. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it, once again, points to the idea that we don't trust our own films enough and have to rely on Eid, arguments in favour of reduced ticket prices, and blaming the audience for not supporting Pakistani cinema and a bag full of conspiracies to deflect from the fact that we produce half-baked, stylistically outdated films. Some major releases are slated for the next Eid and a few more films this summer. But after that, nothing until 2026. The desperation and panic has led to planning for the next year instead. Whatever happens, rest assured, this Eid could very well be a filler as we wait for the meat at the next. Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
