In the latest DSCInsights episode, DSCI Managing Director Marko Kovacevic sits down with Matthew Talbert, Senior Manager of Research at ASCM, and Vivek Ghelani, DSCI Director of Research, to unpack what our joint research reveals about AI in supply chains: why some companies are making real progress while others remain stuck in pilots.
The conversation draws on The People Paradox in Supply Chain AI Integration, research from DSCI and ASCM. One finding frames the discussion: 8 out of 10 leaders believe their people are not ready for AI, yet far fewer are investing in the training to close that gap.
What Sets AI Leaders in Supply Chains Apart
The companies pulling ahead are not the ones with the biggest budgets or the most ambitious roadmaps. They are the ones that start small, prove value quickly, and build the foundation to scale.
1. Start with a focused frontline task
Pick a time-consuming, numbers-driven process such as inventory cycle counting or forecasting, and run a small pilot before you scale. A narrow use case shows results quickly and builds confidence across the team.
2. Do not wait for perfect data
Many organizations stall while they try to clean every dataset first. As Matt puts it, “clean as you cook.” Improve data quality as you go, guided by what the pilot actually needs.
3. Build governance in from the start
Governance is what turns a successful pilot into something the business can repeat and expand. Setting it up early means what works can scale.
4. Put AI champions on the front lines
Today, AI adoption is mostly pushed from the top down, often without enough training. Champions closer to the work help teams see the value, surface practical use cases, and bring colleagues along.
“The train hasn’t left the station yet.”
Marko Kovacevic, Managing Director, DSCI
The Advice: Be Patient
For leaders worried they have fallen behind, the message is reassuring. AI in supply chains is still early. Companies that start small, learn fast, and invest in their people now will be well positioned as the technology matures.
Summary
Watch the full conversation above, then explore the findings in The People Paradox in Supply Chain AI Integration. Learn more about ASCM’s research at ascm.org.
