Industry leaders weigh in with 2025 predictions

Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and sustainability/resilience are among the top areas of focus for supply chains in 2025 according to a selection of experts offering their opinions to Supply Chain Management Review. That is not to say that geopolitics and global trade are any less important.

While none of these should be a surprise to anyone in the industry, some of their comments offer some unique insight. We’ve collected some of the predictions for 2025 here.

Artificial Intelligence

From IBM: “While some skepticism around AI in supply chain remained in 2024, in 2025, AI will be embedded across the supply chain, as leaders prioritize end-to-end visibility and faster decision-making.” IBM went on to note that 60% of executives believe AI assistants will handle most traditional and transactional processes.

From Darcy MacClaren, chief revenue officer, SAP Digital Supply Chain: “We’ll see organizations leverage advanced AI capabilities and other tools such as digital twins technology to improve lead-time predictions, analyze production errors faster and monitor asset wear and tear.  By ensuring that AI is built-in, relevant, and responsible, companies will be able to deliver measurable business outcomes even when disruption feels like part of the daily routine.”

From Richard Barnett, CMO, Supplyframe: “The buzz surrounding AI continues as supply chains seek novel ways to integrate the technology. In 2025, organizations will focus on new applications for the technology that allows them to quickly parse supply chain intelligence or automate manual tasks in design, sourcing, and procurement.”

Visibility

From Frank Kenney, director of industry solutions, Cleo: “Visibility is the new currency of customer experience in the supply chain industry. The future of this sector will be shaped by ‘Visibility as a Service’—a model where information is simplified and presented through intuitive dashboards, alerts and notifications. Consumers aren’t interested in the underlying complexities of technology, infrastructure or integrations; they simply want clarity on when their product will arrive.”

Cybersecurity

From IBM: “As supply chains become increasingly digital, the threat of cyberattacks and data breaches will grow, prompting supply chain leaders to prioritize data governance and cybersecurity. While AI will play a key role in monitoring real-time operations and enhancing visibility, it will also necessitate stronger AI governance to mitigate potential risks. To stay ahead, organizations will increasingly turn towards more robust security frameworks and prioritize securing their supply chains as a competitive advantage.”

From Matt Elenjickal, founder & CEO, FourKites: “Protection against cybersecurity incidents, which are becoming more frequent and severe, needs to be a top priority for the supply chain industry, which has historically underinvested in this area. As part of every digital transformation effort, it’s critical to evaluate existing systems and processes, putting security at the forefront for any new deployments.”

Sustainability/resilience

From Darcy MacClaren, chief revenue officer, SAP Digital Supply Chain: “Organizations that leverage AI to become more resilient will gain an enhanced ability to sense, recognize and react to disruptions as businesses continue to navigate an increasingly complex supply chain landscape.”

From Stephen Dyke, principal consultant manager, FourKites: “What were considered global ‘black swan’ events just two years ago are now a constant consideration for supply chain planning and execution. Resiliency ‘actioned’ is moving from investments into people, processes and technology with AI playing a key role. Data normalization is going to be key, along with investing in Centers of Excellence.”

From Richard Barnett, CMO, Supplyframe: “In terms of resilience, supply chains will continue to seek ways to identify components that pose lower levels of risk, cost, availability, or general ease of sourcing. Part of this effort will also be driven by the continued process of nearshoring as organizations seek to localize their supply base to reduce risk.”

From Ross Meyercord, CEO, Propel Software: “The ‘X-factor’ in green tech will be the influence of Elon Musk on the future Trump administration, as Musk has deep financial interests in solar and electric cars. It will be unlikely for a Trump administration to attack these sectors.”

Geopolitics

From Ross Meyercord, CEO, Propel Software: “By slashing supply chain cycle times and alleviating risk, its proximity to the U.S. makes Mexico an unrivaled choice for high-tech and complex manufacturing – representing a powerful convergence of convenience, speed and forward-thinking economic investment.”

From Stephen Dyke, principal consultant manager, FourKites: ““Manufacturing growth indicators are down and we’re not yet out of the woods when it comes to inflation pressure. Expect carriers to seek recovery and leverage with rates and capacity needs. Cost controls, inventory reduction and strategic investment strategies will also be key focus areas for suppliers.”

From Darcy MacClaren, chief revenue officer, SAP Digital Supply Chain: “Enhanced connectivity with everyone and everything in your ecosystem will increase transparency and traceability in supply chains. Leaders will prioritize visibility and transparency to gain real-time insights, enabling them to monitor operations and safeguard against unethical practices. As the coming year brings a shift in policy and governance priorities, technology solutions can help businesses track their compliance with constantly changing regulations to back up their sustainability claims. For instance, in the U.S., we will most likely see an incentive to make it more appealing to produce and buy domestically and companies may need to rework how they accurately track materials at every step, reinforcing accountability and supporting sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. Improved visibility will also help to manage risks and enhance collaboration among supply chain partners.”

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