Artificial intelligence (AI) is rewiring the way the supply chain operates, according to The 2026 MHI Annual Industry Report. Based on a survey of 500 supply chain professionals, the report found that 70% of respondents believe that AI has the potential to disrupt the industry.Titled “Rewiring the Future: A Supply Chain Playbook for Innovation,” this is the 13th in a series of annual industry reports published by the industry association MHI and consulting company Deloitte. Each year the report provides updates on the innovative technologies that have the most potential to transform supply chains.In additional to seeing AI as a transformative agent, this year’s survey also revealed a rapid increase in adoption. Forty-one percent of respondents said their company is currently using AI, up from 30% last year, said John Paxton, MHI CEO, during a keynote presentation at the Modex 2026 trade show. Top use cases included enhancing demand/inventory optimization, predictive maintenance, automating decision making in operations, and optimizing transportation/logistics routes.Paxton reflected on the fast pace of change in regard to AI during the keynote. “If you go back only two years ago, we were having discussions on what is AI,” Paxton said. “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.”While AI may be claiming the spotlight, investment across supply chain technology will increase this year—although not at as high a pace as during the COVID era,…
