What opportunity does the rise of AI present to supply chain professionals? Can AI help us forecast demand more accurately and improve availability of materials whilst keeping inventory cost low? If AI is so smart, will it soon be able to do our jobs more cheaply?
AI does one thing particularly well: prediction. We need an algorithm for prediction. Currently, supervised learning is a widely used method to find an algorithm. The learning process requires a training dataset and a supervisor, preferably from the relevant business domain. The prediction itself may not yield an exact answer but reduces uncertainty around different risks. It makes the decision-maker’s judgement more valuable.
When it comes to AI in the supply chain, supply chain professionals are both domain experts and decision-makers. We are well-suited to advance the adoption of AI to improve data-driven execution.
As AI gets cheaper, its applications will grow. AI emboldens companies to test more strategies and hunches. They need people who know how to apply it and who are empowered to act on the results.
The challenge for supply chain professionals is to get ourselves ready in this AI revolution. It is a journey for all of us. Intelligent Supply Chain aims to be the platform where supply chain professionals can learn AI, apply it to solve supply chain problems, and share knowledge.
Intelligent Supply Chain Mission
Our mission is to help supply chain professionals learn AI efficiently and effectively. We want to make Intelligent Supply Chain the platform to which supply chain professionals turn for AI learning.
Intelligent Supply Chain Objectives
Intelligent Supply Chain aims to engage with supply chain professionals on new AI methods and tools in four ways:
AI News:
We curate the latest news on AI and its applications related to supply chain management.
AI Explainers:
We explain AI methods with existing and/or potential applications in supply chain management. Each of the selected topics has three sections: Theory, Tools, and Applications.
AI Case studies:
We collect case studies of applications across the supply chain which reveal insights on different use cases, lessons learned, and pitfalls to avoid. The case studies can act as reference models for supply chain professionals looking to tackle similar supply chain problems in their own organizations.
AI Consulting:
We provide training, advisory engagement, and consulting services to help clients adopt and apply relevant AI tools to improve supply chain performance.
Dr Ming Wang – Founder
I am a specialist in Supply Chain and Operations Analytics & Optimization. I have many years of industrial experience in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, services, banking and logistics spanning projects across the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Canada.
I received a B.Sc. (1st Class Hons) in Production Technology and Management and
Ph.D. in Computer Integrated Manufacturing from Brunel University in the United
Kingdom.
I am currently Managing Consultant of D&A Associates and a lecturer at University Canada West.
The ongoing AI revolution reminds me of the personal computer-driven information technology revolution in 1980s and 1990s. I was trained as an engineer and started my career as a production engineer. I did not spend much time on traditional engineering work, but on brand-new concepts like process analysis, modeling, simulation, and more recently, data analytics, supervised machine learning, and AI. Now, we are entering another very exciting era. Just like last time, some jobs become redundant, but others become more valuable, and brand-new ones spring into existence. Through this platform, I look forward to sharing my learnings with you as we navigate this exciting new technology.
Alexander Chassels – Advisor
Currently Alex is Chief Operating Officer of Greenlane Renewables Inc.
Alex brings over two decades of leadership in technology manufacturing to our advisory team, focusing on supply chain transformation.
His expertise in weaving digital solutions into complex supply chains has significantly enhanced operational efficiency and shareholder value.
Alex’s forward-thinking approach to optimizing supply chain processes through digital innovation is perfectly aligned with our goals, establishing him as an invaluable asset.
His strategic vision supports our mission to enable supply chain professionals to learn and deploy AI solutions with sustainable success. Alex holds a BA in Philosophy (Magna Cum Laude) and Chemistry from the University of Arizona.