Survey of supply chain decision-makers shows organizations scaling AI workflows
AI is no longer experimental, but rather reshaping how supply chain businesses are prioritizing operational, staffing, and data-centric investments, according to the newly released 2025 Agility Index research study from Epicor and Nucleus Research.
“AI is becoming an essential tool in helping supply chain businesses anticipate and respond to inevitable change,” noted Kerrie Jordan, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President, Product, Epicor. “We are seeing organizations unlock the agility needed to lead through disruption by not just deploying AI but by building a digital foundation and workforce behind it,” she added.
From the study, more than 56 percent of supply chain businesses surveyed reported high AI readiness, with many scaling AI across operations and modernizing their data systems to improve agility and reliability. Within this group, more than 90 percent are actively creating or investing in AI-specific roles, suggesting that organizations already leveraging AI tools are also the most likely to invest in building dedicated AI talent pipelines.
Real agility
“What’s changing is how companies see AI, not as a replacement for people, but as a way to empower them,” Jordan added. “They’re hiring for expertise that brings context and adaptability to the data, which is where real agility lives,” continued Jordan.
More companies are investing in platforms that connect and analyze operational data. These systems, adopted by just over half (50.6 percent) of all respondents, are now the most widely used data intelligence tools among digitally mature organizations.
Companies using them were 1.4 times more likely to have adopted AI applications. The results suggest that companies are reevaluating their planning, response, and day-to-day operations. Agility, once a stopgap measure, has evolved into a strategic capability.
Technology investments
Expectations around ROI are also maturing, reflecting lessons learned from past technological deployments. A majority of respondents now expect to see returns on their technology investments within six to 18 months.
However, looking ahead, organizations cannot approach AI as a standalone technology project. Success will depend on organizational readiness, leadership engagement, and the ability to act on predictive insights.
“Investing in AI and data-centric platforms is changing how quickly companies can respond to disruption and optimize decisions,” Jordan continued. “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,” she concluded.
