Forum Agenda

Copyright issues, privacy issues, liability issues, and regulatory frameworks are now emerging for AI. Specifically, these issues surround the use of generative AI for large language models like Chat GPT (LLM) and NVIDIA’s Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), which can create new data based on existing data, plus new technologies for molecular design and other manufacturing breakthroughs. This session will offer a high-level framework for scoping risks around AI in the next 12 months.

A. How to Tackle Data Challenges as a Foundation for Transformation:

Digitization and the decarbonization of supply chains are linked by one critical dependency: data. The use of AI for process improvement is dependent on having a lot of clean data, as well as supplier collaboration. This small group discussion will focus on how CSCOs and their teams are thinking about data quality and governance with an eye to surfacing successful practices for breaking down challenges into manageable chunks.

B. The Pros and Cons of Building Your Own Technology:

The use of cloud-based app stores to roll out new tech solutions in supply chain and other business operations is an effective tool for many today. The challenges include designing the right architecture and building teams around in-house talent. This small group discussion will focus on the costs and benefits of building your own tech, and how to get started on this track (rather than relying exclusively on internal IT partners and third-party vendors).

C. The East-West Talent Gap:

China’s fast-track approach to AI development is just one of many examples that suggest supply chain, manufacturing and planning teams in Asia are much further along the learning curve when it comes to applying tech to operations than their Western counterparts. This small group discussion will ask whether this idea is objectively true, and if so, why? We will also focus on how to lift and apply lessons to wider global teams as an accelerator for next-generation talent strategies.

D. Control Tower Fantasy vs Reality:

What do we mean when we talk about the need for supply chains to be responsive, resilient, and responsible? In practical terms, supply chain visibility is still a holy grail, despite years of investment in tech and process. This small group discussion will explore new solutions for seeing and solving supply chain problems as they happen, including the uses of new tech capabilities based on AI/ML and executive decision frameworks that build on IBP to tie supply chain troubleshooting to EPS guidance.

E. Digitization and Sourcing – Where Do We Go from Here?:

Technology in sourcing lags behind progress in planning, manufacturing, and logistics, and yet true digital transformation requires bringing sourcing systems up to date. This small group discussion will focus on where digitization in procurement is today, what is still lacking, and how to build a business case for raising the bar with investments in more analytical and collaborative sourcing capabilities.

F. Is Scope 3 Carbon Just the Tip of the Iceberg?:

Sustainability and responsible supply chain management in general have, in general, been through a cycle of public perception change over the past decade. Formal net zero commitments are one legacy of this cycle, but so is a degree of cynicism about activists and the media. This small group discussion will focus on how CSCOs can stay focused on what matters for supply chain decarbonization and sustainability while avoiding the trap of trying to please all people, all of the time.

Manufacturing is the heart of supply chain strategy, and plans to decouple from Chinese supply bases depend on using manufacturing to create regional competitive advantage. This session will focus on how to develop manufacturing excellence in high-labor, high-cost environments, and, leverage this excellence to win market share and customer loyalty. For supply chain leaders looking to depend less on China for sourcing, this session will offer a practical roadmap for tech investment and organizational design.

Cutting Scope 3 carbon emissions means working with supply partners to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions upstream, outside of Scope 1 and 2. This session will share the details of how operations leaders in the same industry can come together pre-competitively to help shared suppliers upstream move faster toward renewable energy and find other high-leverage ways to decarbonize materials and operations processes. Topics covered will include legal compliance, accounting for impact, and governance.

Business leaders in large organizations must balance the highest levels of accountability to boards of directors and investors with a human touch on the shop floor as well as a big dose of customer obsession. The need to project a clear and compelling message both internally and externally while making tough choices is central to great leadership. This session will share practical learnings and advice on how to grow and lead a large and diverse team through times of change.

Digital transformation starts with helping everyone build skills and literacy in digital topics like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Tactics include online and in-person as well as recognition programs such as badging that are based on proficiency tests to reward not only effort but excellence and the ability to teach others. This session will share practical details about how to build and use these tactics and systems.

A. How to Tackle Data Challenges as a Foundation for Transformation:

Digitization and the decarbonization of supply chains are linked by one critical dependency: data. The use of AI for process improvement is dependent on having a lot of clean data, as well as supplier collaboration. This small group discussion will focus on how CSCOs and their teams are thinking about data quality and governance with an eye to surfacing successful practices for breaking down challenges into manageable chunks.

B. The Pros and Cons of Building Your Own Technology:

The use of cloud-based app stores to roll out new tech solutions in supply chain and other business operations is an effective tool for many today. The challenges include designing the right architecture and building teams around in-house talent. This small group discussion will focus on the costs and benefits of building your own tech, and how to get started on this track (rather than relying exclusively on internal IT partners and third-party vendors).

C. The East-West Talent Gap:

China’s fast-track approach to AI development is just one of many examples that suggest supply chain, manufacturing and planning teams in Asia are much further along the learning curve when it comes to applying tech to operations than their Western counterparts. This small group discussion will ask whether this idea is objectively true, and if so, why? We will also focus on how to lift and apply lessons to wider global teams as an accelerator for next-generation talent strategies.

D. Control Tower Fantasy vs Reality:

What do we mean when we talk about the need for supply chains to be responsive, resilient, and responsible? In practical terms, supply chain visibility is still a holy grail, despite years of investment in tech and process. This small group discussion will explore new solutions for seeing and solving supply chain problems as they happen, including the uses of new tech capabilities based on AI/ML and executive decision frameworks that build on IBP to tie supply chain troubleshooting to EPS guidance.

E. Digitization and Sourcing – Where Do We Go from Here?:

Technology in sourcing lags behind progress in planning, manufacturing, and logistics, and yet true digital transformation requires bringing sourcing systems up to date. This small group discussion will focus on where digitization in procurement is today, what is still lacking, and how to build a business case for raising the bar with investments in more analytical and collaborative sourcing capabilities.

F. Is Scope 3 Carbon Just the Tip of the Iceberg?:

Sustainability and responsible supply chain management in general have, in general, been through a cycle of public perception change over the past decade. Formal net zero commitments are one legacy of this cycle, but so is a degree of cynicism about activists and the media. This small group discussion will focus on how CSCOs can stay focused on what matters for supply chain decarbonization and sustainability while avoiding the trap of trying to please all people, all of the time.

Zero100 supply chains leverage technology to build resilience, responsiveness, and responsibility. Looking ahead to 2025 investments, the baseline for new investments is dependent on having a clear picture of the current situation. This session will share a live example of how to use the AI Census approach to gain a thorough understanding of which specific processes are live and create value with AI, what data sets are involved, and what skills profile is already on board.

Scope 3 carbon commitments and reporting requirements for key third parties like Science Based Targets are often still manually handled by sourcing and sustainability teams working against time. The long-term vision of total carbon visibility isn’t going to happen any time soon, but a practical data lake-based system is. This session will offer a simple architecture for Scope 3 carbon reporting, analytics, and user dashboards that can be live within months.