Supply chain leaders face significant challenges implementing new technologies. Legacy systems operate in silos, with outdated infrastructure that struggles to meet modern customer expectations. Despite these challenges, the imperative for digital transformation has never been stronger, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many supply chain departments find themselves in a technological paradox: They need to innovate, but lack resources and technical capability. IT departments focus more on maintaining existing systems, such as ERP, than on implementing new solutions, while the talent gap in technical roles persists.

Where Agentic AI Enters the Picture

Agentic AI presents a transformative opportunity by demonstrating autonomous decision-making capabilities and goal-oriented behavior. It understands objectives, formulates strategies, and takes independent actions while adapting to environmental changes — all critical for addressing supply chain challenges.

For resource-constrained companies, this is a game-changer. By delegating tasks to AI agents, supply chain firms can focus personnel on strategic initiatives while agents handle routine operations. AI agents process orders, answer inquiries, analyze inventory data, and provide 24/7 service without requiring additional staff.

Most importantly, these agents integrate with existing systems, operating as a layer on top of legacy infrastructure rather than requiring complete overhauls, allowing for incremental implementation with immediate efficiency gains.

Agentic AI. Systems that act autonomously toward achieving specified goals, initiating actions, making decisions within parameters, and operating with minimal supervision. Key characteristics include goal-oriented behavior, autonomous decision-making, adaptive learning, and proactive problem-solving.

AI agents. Software entities that perceive their environment through data inputs, process information using artificial intelligence, and take actions to achieve specific goals. In supply chains, agents handle inventory optimization, supplier communications, or compliance monitoring.

Types of AI agents for supply chains include inventory management agents, order processing agents, analytical agents, compliance agents, and transportation optimization agents.

Customer service transformation. A customer service agent handles inquiries across multiple supply chain touchpoints. Customers interact conversationally with an AI agent that understands their needs and guides them to the right information or service.

For a major fashion retailer, AI-powered virtual assistants on B2B ordering platforms help wholesale customers navigate inventory availability, place restocking orders, and track shipments without human intervention. These assistants reduce service inquiries and improve resolution times, particularly for international partners in different time zones, providing 24/7 service capabilities that are not feasible with human teams alone.

Warehouse operations optimization. AI agents revolutionize warehouse operations by integrating with IoT sensors on equipment, inventory locations, and transportation assets. They continuously monitor conditions, predict maintenance needs, and automatically schedule preventive actions before problems become critical.

Global logistics providers deploy AI-powered "smart warehouse" solutions across distribution centers, integrating IoT sensors with autonomous robots and AI algorithms to optimize picking routes and inventory placement. These implementations reduce picking time, improve space utilization, and decrease equipment downtime through predictive maintenance.

Supply chain disruption management. During disruptions, AI agents provide critical coordination by analyzing data from multiple sources, delivering real-time updates, and redirecting resources where most needed.

Consumer goods manufacturers use AI-powered "control tower" systems to manage disruptions across global networks. During COVID-19, these systems analyzed data from hundreds of suppliers, manufacturing plants, and transportation routes to identify bottlenecks. AI-driven scenario planning maintained product availability when market conditions deteriorated, automatically prioritizing production, and redirecting inventory based on real-time demand signals.

Workforce transformation: empowering, not replacing. AI agents empower rather than replace workers by automating repetitive tasks and optimizing workflows, freeing supply chain professionals to focus on complex issues requiring human judgment and creativity.

Delivery companies deploy AI-powered network planning tools across global operations, helping planners optimize routing and scheduling by automating routine decisions. These tools process millions of route optimizations annually, allowing specialists to focus on complex delivery exceptions. Companies report reduced time spent on scheduling tasks, and improved exception resolution speed, with higher employee satisfaction as workers apply more critical thinking rather than performing repetitive calculations.

The Future of AI Agents in Supply Chains

The evolution of AI agents continues to expand capabilities across supply chain environments. Emerging trends include collaborative agent networks, where specialized agents work together in coordinated systems; enhanced learning capabilities, with faster adaptation to new situations and improved human feedback learning. Another trend is increased autonomy with appropriate oversight for handling complex decisions while maintaining safety measures, and faster self-service for partners and customers through platforms with built-in generative AI paired with workflow automation.

Supply chain leaders interested in implementing AI agents should start with clearly defined, limited-scope projects addressing specific pain points. Begin with processes that are routine but time-consuming and have clear rules and parameters.

Successful implementation requires stakeholder involvement from the beginning, including employees who will work alongside these systems. Training and change management ensure employees understand how AI agents support, rather than threaten, their work.

By taking measured steps, supply chain businesses can harness the transformative potential of AI agents to deliver more responsive, efficient and customer-centered operations.

Mark Morley is head of industry marketing, OpenText.