How to Use Generative AI for RFP Responses (Based on Industry Trends)

Generative AI has moved from buzzword to baseline in the RFP industry. What once felt like a competitive edge is now part of how most teams operate—helping them draft content faster, surface winning insights, and respond to more opportunities without burning out.

The results speak for themselves: Nearly half of teams have reduced their turnaround time and seen an improvement in proposal quality. And while no tool is without its trade-offs, the data makes a compelling case for leaning in.

So, how do these teams specifically use generative AI for RFP responses? 

In this article, we dig into new research from Loopio’s 2026 RFP Response Trends & Benchmarks Report to show how teams are putting AI to work—and how you can do the same.

What’s the Overall Consensus on Using AI Technology?

In 2023, RFP teams were just starting to explore generative AI: only 34% had incorporated it into their daily work. Fast forward to this past year, and that curiosity has turned into real adoption. Our survey shows that 79% of teams have now used generative AI for RFP responses—a trend that keeps going up. 

But, how do they actually feel about using AI technology? It turns out that attitudes are also seeing an upward trend. This year, 71% of teams feel positively about generative AI, up from just 67% the year before. 

What Are the Benefits of Using Generative AI for RFP Responses?

AI is quickly evolving from a neat experimental tool to a must-have for proposal teams aiming for efficiency, productivity, or a competitive edge.

Let’s be clear: AI is not perfect, and it is certainly not a hands-off tool. It works best when paired with a human copilot to craft a standout RFP response that wins new business. That said, here are the key benefits AI has to offer:

How Can You Use Generative AI for RFP Responses in 2026?

Artificial intelligence has been in the industry for a few years now, and with adoption on the rise, teams have moved beyond being early adopters to avid users. In fact, 84% of them use AI at least once a week. 

So, how are these teams putting AI to work? Nearly half of them use it to generate specific RFP answers and edit their responses. Other top use cases include crafting executive summaries and analyzing proposal quality.

Here are five tactical ways to use generative AI for RFP responses:

1. Generate Specific Answers

RFPs often come with hundreds of questions, so it’s no surprise that 62% of teams are turning to generative AI to save time answering them. But here’s the catch: some teams generate answers from their trusted content library, while others rely on tools like ChatGPT. That’s not just a riskier approach—it can also be less efficient. After all, are you really saving time if you have to fact-check everything, instead of pulling from pre-approved content?

2. Edit and Proofread

57% of teams say they’re using AI to refine the RFP response in the editing stage—and it’s easy to understand why. AI tools excel here, quickly catching grammar issues, meeting word count limits, and flagging inconsistent tone. That said, AI isn’t a substitute for human judgment when it comes to the bigger editorial calls. Your expertise is still critical for understanding the nuances of what the RFP is asking, and how to frame your response.

3. Write a Faster First Draft

With the help of AI, 52% of teams are creating first drafts at lightning speed. That’s because AI can generate responses by quickly processing and interpreting the requirements of an RFP. This speeds up the initial drafting by providing your team with examples of how to respond (which in turn reduces blank page anxiety). With this speedy first draft, you can now focus on refining and customizing the content to the buyer’s needs.

4. Craft Executive Summaries

39% of teams are using AI to write executive summaries—and it’s a natural fit. A strong executive summary needs to distill a lengthy proposal into a concise narrative that speaks directly to the buyer’s priorities. AI can pull out the key themes, structure the argument, and produce a polished draft quickly. Just make sure a human is refining the final version—this is often the first thing an evaluator reads, so it needs to feel tailored, not generic.

5. Analyze Proposal Quality

38% of teams are using AI to assess the strength of their proposals. This might look like prompting AI to score a response against the RFP’s stated criteria, identify gaps in coverage, or flag answers that are inaccurate or incomplete. Think of it as a pre-submission gut check—one that’s faster and more systematic than a manual review, and catches the kinds of things that are easy to miss when you’ve been staring at the same document for hours.

Can Generative AI Help in Creating More Effective RFP Responses?

Although AI-usage is on the rise, the importance of human expertise cannot be overstated. AI-generated content can boost productivity (and speed), but only when paired with a human who knows how to effectively leverage it. 

To create more effective RFP responses with generative AI:

The Bottom Line: Use AI Wisely

Generative AI has real potential to transform how your team responds to RFPs—but only if you choose the right tool for the job. Not all AI solutions are created equal, and the wrong one can create as much work as it saves.

When comparing the best AI tools for RFP responses, ask the hard questions: 

• Does the AI solution integrate with your CRM?
• Is it compatible with existing workflow tools?
• Will it protect sensitive data from past proposals?
• Is the information it’s pulling from accurate & up-to-date?
• Is the time saved greater than the time spent reviewing output?

The teams winning with AI aren’t just the ones who use it daily. They’re the ones who use it thoughtfully—with the right tools, the right guardrails, and the right people guiding it. That’s the standard worth aiming for.

More FAQs About AI & RFPs