Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer an experiment for global supply chain businesses but a driver of transformation, according to new research.
The 2025 Agility Index study, released by software firm Epicor in partnership with Nucleus Research, found that 56% of surveyed supply chain organisations report being highly ready to adopt and scale AI tools. Many are embedding AI across logistics, planning and fulfilment while modernising data systems to improve agility and reliability.
Kerrie Jordan, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Product at Epicor, said companies are moving beyond pilots.
“AI is becoming an essential tool in helping supply chain businesses anticipate and respond to inevitable change,” she explained. “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 surveyed more than 1,000 professionals in regions including the U.S., Canada, the UK and Ireland, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and the UAE.
AI driving new hiring trends
Among the most striking findings is that more than 90% of companies already leveraging AI tools are investing in AI-specific roles. These include Logistics and Route Optimisation Specialists (38%), Supply Chain AI Data Scientists (37.2%) and AI Automation Engineers (35.4%).
Rather than centralising these roles in innovation labs, companies are embedding them directly in day-to-day functions, from logistics to demand planning. Epicor said this reflects a shift in perception: AI is viewed not as a substitute for human decision-making but as a tool to enhance it.
“What’s changing is how companies see AI, not as a replacement for people, but as a way to empower them,” Jordan added.
Data platforms and strategic agility
The survey also found that data intelligence platforms are now central to operational strategy. Over half of respondents (50.6%) are investing in systems to connect and analyse operational data, with those firms 1.4 times more likely to adopt AI applications.
This trend, researchers say, demonstrates that agility is no longer a stopgap measure but a strategic capability. Companies are increasingly using scenario planning and forecasting tools to strengthen resilience against geopolitical shifts, trade restrictions and supply chain shocks.
For instance, 61% of businesses in Southeast Asia cited trade restrictions as their biggest risk, with 73% actively revising sourcing strategies. Similar approaches are being reported globally.
Rising expectations of ROI
Expectations around returns are also shifting. A majority of companies now expect to see returns on AI and digital investments within six to 18 months.
“Investing in AI and data-centric platforms is changing how quickly companies can respond to disruption and optimise decisions,” Jordan said. “As AI matures and time to value approaches zero, these companies will outpace competitors.”
The 2025 Agility Index suggests that organisational readiness, leadership engagement and the ability to act on predictive insights will be decisive in determining which firms harness AI most effectively.
