We asked 8 supply chain leaders what impressed and surprised them most about AI. Here's what they said.

Eight supply chain leaders shared their experiences with AI, each finding something impressive and surprising. For Arrive Logistics' J-Ann Tio Toles, the most impressive AI application was converting incoming customer data, regardless of format or channel, into a usable format for the company's systems. This automation cut processing times dramatically, with tasks that once took hours now completed in seconds without requiring any changes from the customers.

Matt Yearling, CEO of YMX Logistics, was surprised by a client's ability to use AI-powered gate automation to trace a potential cargo theft incident. The system provided video footage of the carrier and driver, enabling the client to claim $60,000 in insurance coverage for a stolen shipment.

Mantej Singh Randhawa, global growth leader at Genpact, noted a gap in understanding what "agentic AI" really means among supply chain employees, with responses ranging widely. However, he also observed that younger workers entering the field are early adopters, asking insightful questions about AI applications.

Ben Massie, vice president at Lenovo, was impressed by AI's ability to consider vast amounts of data simultaneously to inform planning and decision-making. With Lenovo's AI-powered platform, analysis that once took weeks can now be completed in hours, such as understanding the implications of a tariff change across manufacturing, logistics, and compliance requirements.

Chap Achen from Gartner Supply Chain Practice found that demand forecasting and planning are the most impactful AI applications, with 82% of surveyed retailers adopting AI in this area. AI helps retailers anticipate customer demand, optimize inventory, and make better replenishment decisions.

Saskia van Gendt, chief sustainability officer at Blue Yonder, highlighted the sustainability benefits of AI, including more efficient supply chains, improved manufacturing operations, and accurate inventory planning. However, she also pointed out the growing energy and water consumption of data centers, which could offset some sustainability gains.

Bob Loycano, vice president at FDH Aero, expressed excitement about AI's potential to automate the sourcing process, including sending out purchase requests to suppliers without human intervention. While he wouldn't allow AI to place orders without human approval, the prospect of AI handling more of these decisions was promising.

Monique Murfield, director of the Center for Supply Chain Excellence, envisions AI playing a significant role in reverse logistics, contributing to a more circular supply chain approach. By leveraging AI's data-driven capabilities, companies could optimize returns, refurbishments, and recycling processes, reducing waste and enhancing sustainability.