According to www.thescxchange.com, 70% of supply chain professionals believe AI has disruptive potential, while 41% of companies are already deploying it — up from 30% last year. The 2026 MHI Annual Industry Report, based on a survey of 500 professionals, identifies demand/inventory optimization, predictive maintenance, automated decision-making, and logistics routing as top use cases. Despite economic and geopolitical uncertainty — named the top industry trend — 56% of leaders are increasing tech investments, with 52% planning to spend over $1 million and 17% over $10 million. MHI CEO John Paxton emphasized the shift from foundational AI awareness to agentic AI implementation.
According to www.thescxchange.com, artificial intelligence is driving major disruptions across global supply chains, with 70% of surveyed supply chain professionals believing AI has the potential to disrupt the industry — a central finding of The 2026 MHI Annual Industry Report titled Rewiring the Future: A Supply Chain Playbook for Innovation.
Accelerating AI Adoption Amid Economic Uncertainty
The report, the 13th in an annual series co-published by industry association MHI and consulting firm Deloitte, draws on a survey of 500 supply chain professionals. It reveals that 41% of respondents’ companies are currently using AI, up from 30% last year. MHI CEO John Paxton highlighted this surge during a keynote at MODEX 2026, noting the rapid evolution of AI discourse: “If you go back only two years ago, we were having discussions on what is AI. Then last year we talked about the term generative AI. This year we’re talking about agentic AI, which means putting agents to work and taking actual steps out of the operation.”
Top AI Use Cases and Investment Trends
Respondents identified key operational applications, including:
- Enhancing demand and inventory optimization
- Predictive maintenance
- Automating decision-making in operations
- Optimizing transportation and logistics routes
Despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty — cited as the top trend facing companies this year — technology investment remains strong. According to the report, 56% of supply chain leaders are increasing their supply chain technology and automation investments. More than half (52%) plan to spend over $1 million, and 17% intend to invest over $10 million. However, Paxton noted this growth is not at the pace seen during the COVID era.
Economic Pressures Reshape Strategic Priorities
The source states that trade wars, inflation, sanctions, and border closures continue to cause upheaval across supply chains. The report warns that such uncertainty typically leads to cautious investment strategies and reevaluation of supplier relationships. Companies should anticipate increased costs across goods, services, raw materials, energy, and labor — all of which will pressure supply chains and margins.
“If you go back only two years ago, we were having discussions on what is AI. Then last year we talked about the term generative AI. This year we’re talking about agentic AI, which means putting agents to work and taking actual steps out of the operation.” — John Paxton, CEO, MHI
Source: www.thescxchange.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
