ASCI Connect

Across the industry, the conversation has clearly shifted:
not if we use AI, but where we deploy it first and how fast we scale it.
Increasingly, AI is being described as the "central nervous system" of the modern supply chain (ASCM, Forbes).

A few discussion angles I'm seeing surface again and again 

Demand sensing & forecasting accuracy
AI promises sharper forecasts by combining real‑time signals with traditional data - but volatility remains structural, not temporary.
Question: Are we truly improving accuracy, or just reacting faster?

AI‑assisted decision making (planning, routing, risk alerts)
AI is moving from insight generation to decision support. The real tension now is ownership.
Question: Where should humans stay fully in the loop, and where does "AI‑first" decisioning make sense?

Agentic AI & partial autonomy
The next frontier: systems that don't just recommend actions, but execute them within guardrails - rerouting freight, rebalancing inventory, reprioritising orders.
Question: Which execution decisions are "safe" to automate first, and how do we govern accountability?

ROI & data readiness
Enthusiasm is high, but scrutiny is higher. AI investments are being asked to deliver clear ROI, often within 12–18 months.
Question: Is the real constraint the technology - or data quality, integration, and process maturity?

Open question for the group:
If AI is becoming the central nervous system of the supply chain, which "organ" should it control first - and which should remain human‑led the longest?

Keen to hear perspectives from planning, logistics, procurement, and tech leaders.