AI readiness grows as supply chain firms invest in new roles
Over half of supply chain businesses are reporting high readiness for artificial intelligence (AI), with manufacturers leading adoption, according to new global research.
The 2025 Agility Index study, undertaken by Epicor and Nucleus Research, surveyed over 1,000 supply chain leaders across various regions, including the US, Canada, UK, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the UAE. Findings from the research highlight that 56 percent of supply chain organisations now consider themselves highly prepared for AI adoption.
AI-specific roles on the rise
More than 90 percent of businesses deemed highly ready for AI are creating or investing in AI-specific positions. Common roles being filled include AI Logistics and Route Optimisation Specialists (38 percent), Supply Chain AI Data Scientists (37.2 percent), and AI Automation Engineers (35.4 percent). These roles are increasingly integrated into planning, fulfilment, and logistics functions, rather than operating solely within research environments.
The demand for these skills underscores a shift in workforce priorities, with organisations focusing on building teams capable of adapting to ongoing technological change.
"AI is becoming an essential tool in helping supply chain businesses anticipate and respond to inevitable change. We're seeing organisations unlock the agility needed to lead through disruption by not just deploying AI but by building a digital foundation and workforce behind it," said Kerrie Jordan, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Product at Epicor.
The research also suggests that companies embracing AI do not view the technology as a replacement for people. Instead, AI is seen as a tool that supports and empowers staff, providing new opportunities for expertise in data analysis and operational decision-making.
"What's changing is how companies see AI, not as a replacement for people, but as a way to empower them. They're hiring for expertise that brings context and adaptability to the data, which is where real agility lives," Jordan added.
Real-time data sharing
Adoption of real-time data platforms is identified as another key factor in digital maturity. Slightly over half (50.6 percent) of respondents reported using these platforms. The research shows businesses utilising such systems are 1.4 times more likely to have deployed AI applications, indicating a strong link between real-time operational intelligence and AI uptake.
The study found that these tools enable organisations to better navigate disruption and adapt to changing market conditions. As a result, agility has shifted from being a temporary response to disruption to becoming a strategic asset within supply chain operations.
Response to global risks
Organisations in Southeast Asia and other regions are adjusting to heightened risk and uncertainty by strengthening scenario planning and resilience strategies. In Southeast Asia, 61 percent of respondents cited trade restrictions as their primary risk, with 73 percent actively revisiting sourcing strategies. Global trends show similar moves to develop capabilities that help companies forecast and mitigate disruption.
The incorporation of AI-powered forecasting tools and scenario planning is supporting businesses to both anticipate and respond to global risks more effectively. These investments in technology and personnel are seen as essential to enhancing supply chain resilience in an increasingly uncertain trading environment.
Return on investment expectations
Expectations around the financial return from AI are also shifting. The majority of organisations surveyed anticipate measurable return on investment within six to 18 months of deployment. Experience with prior technology implementations is driving businesses to establish quicker, more realistic ROI timelines for AI initiatives.
The study's findings indicate that success in AI deployment relies not only on the technology itself but also on organisational readiness, leadership involvement, and an ability to take advantage of predictive insights generated by AI tools.
"Investing in AI and data-centric platforms is changing how quickly companies can respond to disruption and optimise decisions. As AI matures and time to value approaches zero, these companies will outpace competitors. They will be able to make decisions in minutes, not months, with systems that adapt as fast as the market shifts," Jordan continued.
The 2025 Agility Index is available in full from Epicor and provides further analysis of how supply chain organisations are responding to disruption through investment in AI, talent, and digital infrastructure.
