ARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCE [ INSIGHT ]
by Brian Greene Chief Supply Chain Officer, HMTX Industries bg@hmtx.global | 770-438-1330
AI and the Essential Supply Chain Worker As a supply chain leader, I am frequently asked about how artificial intelligence will impact the global supply chain and, in particular, the landscape for jobs that tend to be repetitive in nature. While we are bombarded by a constant flow of doomsday messaging surrounding AI in the media, what doesn’t get nearly as much attention are the potential benefits and efficiencies that AI can produce. the jobs of the future versus those who choose to live in the past. There will be an opportunity to up skill, but training will be key to these efforts. Supply chain and technology are
intertwined to a level in which we have already seen some changes, like better route management for truck drivers, more efficient order picking for warehouses, and better visibility throughout the end- to-end supply chain leading to better decision making at all levels. Are these changes to be feared? Not with the right information and perspective. What would it mean to a warehouse worker to have an AI-developed exoskeleton to help lift heavier items or ergonomic automation that can help workers maximize their job effectiveness while minimizing injury and fatigue? What would it mean for maintenance managers to anticipate down time on equipment and proactively address issues that could lead to downtime? What would it mean for workers with limited skills in a certain language to get real-time translation of instructions and procedures, thus improving safety and productivity? I am not blind to the concerns surrounding AI, nor should you be. But fear has never been a worthwhile strategy when dealing with change. Those who adapt are far more likely to find success and, thus, the jobs of the future. n
currently employ hundreds of thousands of workers. The proliferation of AI has attracted a tsunami of negative attention, and while some of that may be warranted, the possibilities of what AI can do for us are endless. Imagine your doctor being able to address your healthcare needs with a more individualized approach. Rather than replacing nurses, the human element becomes an even greater part of healthcare. Or suppose you have issues with your car, but instead of waiting for technicians to run through tedious and expensive diagnostics, they can identify the issue with the help of AI algorithms and provide a faster and cheaper customer experience. EMBRACING AI What will this new frontier of AI require for the American worker? The collaboration of academia and industry will be vital so that these skills are built and trained. Those who embrace AI will have a much better chance of securing
For example, one way AI could lead to increased efficiency for today’s work environment is by automating some repetitive tasks that take time away from humans using our best asset—our brains. By allowing humans to practice the art of decision-making instead of wasting time on building the decision-making data set, we could see more innovation, safer workplaces and faster go-to- market speeds. Ultimately, this leads to improved customer satisfaction, which is what every company strives to achieve. Certainly there will be changes for today’s workers. This is not the first time we have seen a technological disruption in the workplace. There are many instances of this in history like the shift from typewriters to word processors and the overall influence of the internet on society and the job changes that it brought about. Imagine today’s world without the internet. Did that technology replace some jobs? Yes, but it also created entirely new industries that, in turn,
24 Inbound Logistics • November 2024
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