AI has moved beyond experimentation to become a driving force in reshaping how supply chain businesses prioritize operational, staffing, and data-driven investments, according to the newly released 2025 Agility Index research study from Epicor and Nucleus Research.
The survey, conducted with over 1,000 supply chain professionals across North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia/New Zealand, and the UAE, found that more than 56% of organizations reported high AI readiness. Many are scaling AI across operations while modernizing data systems to enhance agility and reliability.
Importantly, over 90% of AI-ready companies are creating or funding AI-specific roles, embedding specialists directly into planning, fulfillment, and logistics functions. In-demand positions include AI Logistics & Route Optimization Specialists (38%), Supply Chain AI Data Scientists (37.2%), and AI Automation Engineers (35.4%). This signals that AI is not replacing human judgment but augmenting decision-making with expertise and contextual insights.
“AI is becoming an essential tool in helping supply chain businesses anticipate and respond to inevitable change,” said Kerrie Jordan, CMO and SVP of Product at Epicor. “What’s changing is how companies see AI, not as a replacement for people, but as a way to empower them.”
The study also shows that platforms connecting and analyzing operational data are now the most widely used intelligence tools, adopted by just over 50% of respondents. Companies using them were 1.4 times more likely to deploy AI applications, reflecting a shift where agility has matured from a reactive stopgap to a core strategic capability.
Regionally, 61% of Southeast Asian respondents identified trade restrictions as their biggest risk, with 73% reworking sourcing strategies—trends echoed worldwide as businesses strengthen scenario planning and resilience.
Expectations of AI ROI are also evolving, with most organizations anticipating returns within six to 18 months. The research suggests success depends not on AI as a standalone technology, but on organizational readiness, leadership engagement, and the ability to act quickly on predictive insights.
“Companies that embrace AI and data-centric platforms will soon make decisions in minutes, not months,” added Jordan. “As AI matures and time-to-value approaches zero, they will outpace competitors in speed, agility, and resilience.”
