Keep Humans in the Loop: Supply Chain Technology Adoption and the Importance of Human-Centric Approaches

In the latest survey by Deloitte Consulting LLP in partnership with MHI, Wanda Johnson discussed the findings on the adoption of technology in supply chain operations. The report, based on input from 1,500 executives, takes a “human-centric, technology-driven” approach and focuses on keeping humans in the loop at all times. This is the 10th year of the survey, which aims to tie together major issues that have emerged in the past decade and help industry leaders understand where trends are heading.

Johnson emphasized the importance of understanding the human angle in technology advancements. Change management and how people respond to new technology and its impact on their roles in the workplace are critical considerations that must be addressed. Robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence were identified as consistent themes in the evolution of supply chain technology.

Generative AI has been a significant topic of discussion due to its potential to enhance human capabilities, facilitate reskilling, and improve decision-making processes by providing better data for predicting outcomes. However, Johnson cautions that human planners must remain vigilant as there is a risk of inaccurate results. It is essential to carefully analyze data before making decisions based on technology-driven insights.

Data governance was another area of focus in the report, emphasizing the importance of obtaining clean data to ensure accurate results. Despite Generative AI’s ability to process large amounts of data and assist in decision-making, Johnson reminds us that human planners must be careful not to rely solely on technology-driven insights. Instead, they should use it as a tool to enhance their capabilities and make informed decisions while keeping humans at the center of their operations.