Generative AI: The Next Frontier in Supply Chains

Five million industrial robots are now operating across the world’s factories - and the automation revolution is accelerating far beyond the automotive industry.In this episode of The Robot Shift, hosts Michael Jung and Jess Williams unpack the findings of the International Federation of Robotics’ World Robotics 2026 report, exploring how record robot installations are transforming manufacturing, logistics, and global competitiveness.With more than 603,000 new robots installed in 2025, Asia dominating global adoption, and robotics-as-a-service making automation accessible to smaller manufacturers, the industrial landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift.The discussion examines China’s growing robotics leadership, the impact of tariffs and reshoring, and how collaborative robots are helping manufacturers confront critical labor shortages. Michael and Jess also look beyond the humanoid hype to explore the promise of physical AI, the challenges of integrating intelligent machines into existing operations, and the emerging cybersecurity risks of connected robotics.As robots become smarter and hardware becomes increasingly commoditized, a bigger question emerges: Will tomorrow’s industrial leaders be those who build the most robots—or those who control the AI and data that power them?Discover more about robotics, warehouse automation, and physical AI at www.robotshift.co. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.robotshift.co

In this episode of Future Chain, Michael Jung and Jess Williams unpack McKinsey’s latest research: The State of AI in 2025. While nearly every company today is using AI - and many are piloting agents - few have scaled it in ways that drive real enterprise value.The hosts explore what separates AI high performers from the rest. These leading firms aren’t just chasing cost savings. They’re redesigning workflows, investing in innovation, and embracing AI as a growth lever. But it comes with trade-offs. High performers report more workforce disruption and risk exposure - yet they’re also better at managing both.If AI is truly everywhere, why are most companies still stuck at the starting line? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.robotshift.co

In this Future Chain episode, Michael Jung and Jess Williams dive into Anthropic’s new report, State of AI Agents, with a sharp focus on what it means for supply chain, procurement, and logistics leaders.The research shows a clear shift: AI agents are moving from lab experiments to core enterprise systems, driving multi-step automation in areas like data analysis, internal ops, and software development. Top-performing companies are already seeing financial gains and reducing manual effort, but success hinges on more than just deployment—it requires reinventing outdated workflows from the ground up.The hosts unpack lessons from sectors like healthcare and finance and explore what it will take for supply chain functions to fully capitalize on this agent-led future. Can logistics, procurement, and planning teams adapt fast enough? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.robotshift.co

In this episode, Michael Jung and Jess Williams unpack McKinsey’s latest report, “Seizing the Agentic AI Advantage,” which explores the growing gap between generative AI adoption and measurable business impact. The conversation dives into the “GenAI paradox,” where companies embrace AI tools, but struggle to turn them into real ROI.The hosts explore how agentic AI, intelligent agents that proactively drive tasks, decisions, and collaboration, might be the key to breaking through. But unlocking that value means more than tech upgrades. It requires rethinking workflows, leadership, and governance from the ground up.Is your organization ready for the shift from copilots to autonomous agents? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.robotshift.co

In this episode, hosts Michael Jung and Jess Williams explore LightSource, the AI-powered procurement platform now featured on Chaine.AI. From automating RFIs to streamlining supplier collaboration, they break down how LightSource uses generative AI to tackle sourcing complexity. Does it live up to the promise - or is it just another shiny tool? Find out in this candid review. Learn more at: https://chaine.ai/l/lightsource/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.robotshift.co

In this episode, we explore McKinsey’s latest report on the rise of AI agents and their growing influence in enterprise operations. The discussion dives into how AI agents - autonomous software powered by generative AI—are evolving to handle complex tasks, automate workflows, and reimagine productivity. From personal assistants to full AI-native businesses, the episode unpacks how these agents function and the real-world impact they’re already making, including case studies like Lenovo. The conversation also covers the challenges of adoption—trust, change management, and data security - and what companies must do now to prepare their tech infrastructure for an agent-powered future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.robotshift.co

In this episode of Future Chain Talks, Brayden and Hannah unpack the evolving role of Generative AI in supply chain management. From early pilots to enterprise-scale implementation, they discuss what’s working, what’s hype, and how leaders can move from experimentation to impact. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.robotshift.co

In this episode of the Future Chain podcast, we dive into a thought-provoking article by EY on the transformative potential of generative AI in supply chain management. From planning and sourcing to manufacturing and logistics, generative AI is reshaping how businesses streamline processes, improve efficiency, and manage risks. We’ll also discuss the challenges this technology brings, such as data quality concerns and the need for governance, and explore how companies can align GenAI with their strategic goals to unlock long-term value and resilience. Tune in to learn how this cutting-edge AI is shaping the future of supply chains. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.robotshift.co