Robert Yturri

Prospects of supply chain automation have the industry abuzz. It’s even become a major sticking point in the International Longshoremen’s Association contract negotiations with the United States Maritime Alliance. The dockworkers do not want ports to automate processes out of fear they will lose their jobs to machines. Today, there are seemingly endless possibilities for optimization. Terms like generative artificial intelligence and machine learning have become commonplace in discussions about ways to gain efficiencies and reduce costs. Can man and machine work together as businesses leverage automation for optimization? Beyond the Buzz: Understanding the Automation Imperative Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence (AI), is described by Business News Daily as a later-stage development in which machines take in data on their own and then analyze it. Automation, on the other hand, is fixed on repetitive tasks; after a job is performed, an automation system “thinks no further.” The Business News Daily article explained that “automation involves an entire category of technologies that provide activity or work without human involvement,” while AI involves “a machine exhibiting and practicing something similar to what we describe as human thinking – that is, the ability to interact in thousands of ways with the…

In today’s supply chain landscape, digital transformation is no longer optional—but as the panelists in the latest Supply Chain Now webinar revealed, it’s also not just about technology. Hosted by Scott Luton and Jake Barr, this conversation brought together two powerhouse leaders: Eliza Simeonova, Quality Supply Chain Operations Officer at Haleon, and Philip Vervloesem, Chief Commercial & Markets Officer at OMP. Together, they tackled one of the most pressing challenges of our time—how to lead meaningful, people-centered transformation in an age increasingly defined by AI. A few insights stood out: Technology isn’t the hero—people are. True digital transformation begins with clarity of purpose, disciplined simplification, and leaders who stay close to the work. AI amplifies human intelligence, it doesn’t replace it. The most successful organizations empower their teams to collaborate with technology, not compete against it. Waiting for perfection is the biggest risk. Progress comes from experimentation, agility, and the courage to act before every variable is known. From redefining leadership mindsets to practical strategies for upskilling teams, this discussion offered an inspiring roadmap for supply chain leaders ready to embrace what’s next. Watch the full webinar on demand: Register to view the replay »Download the companion resource: 5 Must-Know…