Ismail Safi

Special Guest Blog Post written by Dr. Johannes Hangl with e2open   AI is no longer an experiment in global trade compliance. It’s already being applied in product classification, document-to-declaration workflows, risk targeting, and sanctions screening. At the same time, regulators and customs authorities are adopting AI themselves. This is raising expectations for data quality, transparency, and governance across the entire trade ecosystem. With the EU AI Act set to apply from August 2026, companies that have not yet implemented human-in-the-loop controls, drift monitoring, and defensible audit trails are running out of time to close the gap.   Where AI is already adding real value today: HS and ECN classification   Product classification has become one of the most practical AI use cases. Modern tools can now suggest harmonized system (HS/ HTS) and export control (ECCN) codes, explain the rationale, and attach confidence scores and audit metadata to each decision. This direction mirrors what customs authorities are doing. Administrations such as German Customs have discussed using machine learning to improve targeting and risk detection. It appears both sides of the border are moving toward data-driven decision support. AI does not remove accountability. It changes how accountability is exercised.   Practical…

Get ready to increase your supply chain IQ! Check out all the latest episodes, interviews, conversations, and livestreams from this week right here! On Saturday, Karin Bursa welcomed Manda Hunt from the Empty Stocking Fund to TEK TOK to talk about how the organization transformed from a brick and mortar model to an online virtual gift selection.     On Sunday, Scott and Greg welcomed Mark Morley from OpenText to the podcast to share his key observations in the latest supply chain tech.     On Monday’s podcast episode, Wasim Munayyer from the Munayyer Group joined Jamin on Logistics & Beyond to talk about the three traits needed to succeed when it comes to optimizing technology in the freight space & the importance of leveraging available resources and information related to tech.     On Tuesday, Scott Luton and special co-host Page Siplon with TeamOne Logistics welcome an esteemed panel of mental health advocates on the podcast: John Hearn with The Benefit Company and established healthcare leader, Yinka Ajirotutu.     On Wednesday, Scott Luton and Greg White welcome Eric Olson with Total Quality Logistics and Bobby Holland with U.S. Bank to talk about the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index.…