In her latest article, Sonali Nimkar explores the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chains, envisioning a shift from automation to autonomy. She introduces the concept of "Agentic AI," where intelligent agents within domains like inventory, logistics, and procurement collaborate to make real-time decisions, creating a supply chain that operates with contextual intelligence. This evolution is further enhanced by technologies such as Digital Twins, which simulate real-world scenarios for continuous testing, and Quantum AI, which offers rapid optimization capabilities.
Nimkar emphasizes the expanding role of the Supply Chain Architect, who must now focus on ethical considerations and governance. Designing AI systems that are transparent, explainable, and fair is crucial to ensure that intelligence serves insight and not opacity. The future of supply chains lies not just in smarter systems but in wiser systems—intelligent by design, ethical by nature, and deeply aligned with the human enterprise they serve.
This vision aligns with Gartner's 2025 Supply Chain Outlook, which highlights that AI-enabled digital twins will move 40% of enterprises from reactive to predictive logistics planning within the next three years.
