Redefining Partnerships in Supply Chain Technology: Human Touch or Automated Edge?

In today's supply chain landscape, the term "partnership" often evokes images of human collaboration between vendors and buyers. Each year, SupplyChainBrain dedicates an issue to showcasing successful partnerships that tackle complex demand-supply challenges amidst persistent uncertainties, emphasizing the educational value these real-world examples provide. Traditionally, such partnerships were thought to be exclusively human endeavors. However, recent technological advancements are challenging this notion. Could robots or automated systems serve as true partners by enhancing a company's responsiveness and competitiveness? This evolution raises critical questions. As technology advances, automation increasingly replaces human labor, sometimes eliminating the need for human involvement altogether. This prompts reflection on whether a partner that displaces human jobs can genuinely be considered a true partner. The ongoing debate centers on whether artificial intelligence (AI) offers benefits or risks. AI is already capable of analyzing vast data sets to inform supply chain decisions, progressing from descriptive analytics to prescriptive systems that may operate independently of ...