We're living in a pivotal moment for AI, one where every headline, advertisement, and casual conversation seems to touch on it. But the prevalence of coverage hasn't resulted in better outcomes for most businesses or their workers—at least not yet. Instead, many of us are spiraling. We oscillate between careful planning and panic implementation, driven by the fear that standing still means falling behind.
We see datapoints like over half of the white-collar workforce thinks AI will replace their role in 3 years, or headlines like “AI leader says degrees in law and medicine are a waste of time,” and we try to fathom what the future will be like in our industry when it’s our jobs. Then, just as suddenly, the news cycle has pivoted to proclaim we’ve already entered AI’s “trough of disillusionment” phase and 42% of companies have abandoned their AI pilot projects.
How can we decide what’s real and what’s noise in this environment? If we are going to understand this future—let alone shape it—then we need a foundation for comprehension. Do we truly understand what it means for something to have AI capabilities? Do we know the differences between the technologies on the market today? What are the “red flags” we should be mindful of as we evaluate claims? And at the heart of it all: What are we actually improving when we adopt AI?
That’s why we’re introducing AI Demystified, a blog series devoted to explaining essential concepts—from commonly used terminology to how AI will impact companies’ inner workings—in accessible, memorable ways. We’re doing it all from a supply chain-first perspective because that’s who we are.
We want this to become your go-to resource for all things AI. We’ll keep a list of our latest coverage at the bottom of this page, so you can bookmark and return often. You can also subscribe to our blog newsletter to be notified when new posts are added.
Whether you're a curious newcomer or someone looking to deepen your understanding, this series will equip you with the knowledge needed to engage meaningfully with the AI revolution shaping our world. When we all have a clear grasp of what AI is—and isn't—we can make more informed decisions about how to harness its potential, navigate its challenges, and drive innovation that benefits everyone.
The AI Demystified series to date:
- The new planner journey in an AI-powered world
- 71% of supply chain leaders say they have accelerated AI deployment. Why now?
Coming soon: Burn the AI maturity model: It's holding you back; Glossary of supply chain AI terms
Additional resources:
