AI is no longer experimental but is reshaping how supply chain businesses are prioritising operational, staffing and data-centric investments, according to the newly released 2025 Agility Index research study from Epicor and Nucleus Research.
“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. “We’re seeing organisations unlock the agility needed to lead through disruption by not just deploying AI but by building a digital foundation and workforce behind it.”
The study shows that 56% of supply chain businesses reported high AI readiness, with many scaling AI across operations and modernising their data systems to improve agility and reliability. Within this group, more than 90% are actively creating or investing in AI-specific roles, suggesting that organisations already leveraging AI tools are also the most likely to invest in building dedicated AI talent pipelines.
The most common roles companies are hiring for include AI Logistics & Route Optimisation Specialists (38.0%), Supply Chain AI Data Scientists (37.2%) and AI Automation Engineers (35.4%). Organisations running geopolitical what-if scenarios report higher levels of AI-related hiring. These roles are embedded directly in planning, fulfilment and logistics functions – not confined to pilot teams or research labs.
“What’s changing is how companies see AI, not as a replacement for people, but as a way to empower them,” Jordan said. “They’re hiring for expertise that brings context and adaptability to the data, which is where real agility lives.”
The research highlights that more companies are investing in platforms that connect and analyse operational data. These systems, adopted by just over half (50.6%) of respondents, are now the most widely used data intelligence tools among digitally mature organisations. Companies using them were 1.4 times more likely to have adopted AI applications. The results suggest that businesses are re-evaluating their planning, response and day-to-day operations.
Across regions, companies are strengthening scenario planning and supply chain resilience in response to rising uncertainty. In Southeast Asia, 61% of respondents cited trade restrictions as their biggest risk, while 73% said they are actively reworking sourcing strategies. Similar trends are unfolding globally, with companies turning to forecasting tools and AI talent to anticipate and prepare for disruption.
Expectations around ROI are also maturing. A majority of respondents now expect to see returns on their technology investments within six to 18 months. However, the report warns that organisations cannot approach AI as a standalone technology project. Success will depend on organisational readiness, leadership engagement and the ability to act on predictive insights.
