Chief Supply Chain Officers Want Generative AI Training

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Most C-suite executives responsible for supply chain and production (87%) plan to invest more in generative AI, according to a recent Accenture survey. Almost as many (85%) expect to reap the returns of their generative AI investments already in 2024.

“Generative AI is already changing how chief supply chain and operating officers think about their data, talent, processes and ways of working. Executives approaching generative AI merely as ‘just another technology’ will have a rude awakening. We must understand and plan for the change of work on three dimensions: Which tasks can be automated or augmented? Which people need upskilling to use the new technology? And how can organizations embrace the power of GenAI responsibly“ says Maria Rey-Marston, innovation lead for Accenture’s global supply chain and operations business.

Key takeaways:

• Executives also recognized that they need to understand the technology and the need for more than basic widespread generative AI training across the organization.
• Three out of four (74%) said they need at least some level of training in generative AI; 18% recognized the necessity for extensive training in this area.
• Only 42% claim to be personally using gen AI tools at least once per week, down from 71% just six months ago.
• More than half (54%) believe their organization requires intermediate-level training in the technology, such as prompt engineering and model fine tuning.
• Two out of five (40%) think the most crucial need is advanced training, such as developing generative AI models and applications.
• Just 15% are highly confident they have the right data strategy and digital capabilities to use generative AI effectively.
• Just 14% of organizations have progressed from designing or initiating the scaling up of a responsible data and AI model to fully integrating one into their enterprise.
• In the United States, more than 40% of all working hours in supply chain functions could be affected through automation and augmentation, significantly changing roles, such as those of procurement clerks and production, planning and expediting clerks.