Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming supply chain management, enabling businesses to enhance agility and resilience, according to the 2025 Agility Index research study by Epicor and Nucleus Research. The global survey of supply chain decision-makers highlights how organizations are scaling AI workflows, hiring specialized talent, and prioritizing data-centric investments to navigate disruptions effectively.
Over 56% of supply chain businesses report high AI readiness, per Epicor’s 2025 study.
More than 90% of AI-ready firms invest in AI-specific roles like data scientists.
AI enhances decision-making without replacing human judgment in supply chains.
Data-centric platforms, used by 50.6% of firms, boost AI adoption by 1.4 times.
73% of Southeast Asian firms rework sourcing strategies due to trade restrictions.
Most expect ROI from AI investments within 6-18 months, driving strategic agility.
The 2025 Agility Index reveals that over 56 percent of surveyed supply chain businesses demonstrate high AI readiness, actively scaling AI across operations and modernizing data systems. “AI is becoming an essential tool in helping supply chain businesses anticipate and respond to inevitable change,” said Kerrie Jordan, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Product at Epicor. This readiness enables organizations to enhance operational agility and reliability, positioning them to lead through disruptions.
A significant finding is the focus on hiring for AI-specific roles, with over 90 percent of AI-ready organizations investing in dedicated talent. Key roles include AI Logistics & Route Optimization Specialists (38.0 percent), Supply Chain AI Data Scientists (37.2 percent), and AI Automation Engineers (35.4 percent). “What’s changing is how companies see AI, not as a replacement for people, but as a way to empower them,” Jordan added. These roles, embedded in planning, fulfillment, and logistics, enhance data-driven decision-making without displacing human judgment.
Data intelligence platforms are pivotal, with 50.6 percent of respondents adopting systems that connect and analyze operational data. These platforms make organizations 1.4 times more likely to implement AI applications, enabling faster responses to market shifts. “Investing in AI and data-centric platforms is changing how quickly companies can respond to disruption and optimize decisions,” Jordan noted. Such investments are critical for building strategic agility and resilience in supply chain operations.
The study highlights regional efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience. In Southeast Asia, 61 percent of respondents identified trade restrictions as a primary risk, prompting 73 percent to rework sourcing strategies. Globally, companies are leveraging AI-driven forecasting tools and scenario planning to anticipate disruptions. This shift from reactive to proactive strategies ensures supply chains can adapt swiftly to geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
Organizations are setting realistic expectations for AI investments, with most anticipating returns within 6-18 months. The study emphasizes that AI success hinges on organizational readiness and leadership engagement. As AI matures, companies adopting these technologies can make decisions in minutes, not months, gaining a competitive edge. This evolution underscores AI’s role as a strategic enabler for agile, resilient supply chains.
The Epicor 2025 Agility Index study confirms AI’s transformative impact on supply chains, driving smarter decisions and enhanced resilience. By integrating AI workflows, specialized talent, and data-centric platforms, organizations are well-equipped to navigate disruptions and achieve sustainable growth in a dynamic global market.
Epicor equips hard-working businesses with enterprise solutions that keep the world turning. For 50 years, Epicor customers in the automotive, building supply, distribution, manufacturing, and retail industries have trusted Epicor to help them do business better. Innovative Epicor solution sets are carefully curated to fit customer needs and built to respond flexibly to their fast-changing reality. With deep industry knowledge and experience, Epicor accelerates its customers’ ambitions, whether to grow and transform, or simply become more productive and effective.
TechIntelPro empowers B2B technology decision-makers with the latest industry trends, deep insights, leadership perspectives and actionable intelligence to drive both organizational and professional milestones—and thrive on the tech pulse.