IN Brief:
- A January 2026 survey of 514 leaders found AI confidence rising, but autonomous control still limited.
- Most respondents prefer AI recommendations with human sign-off, while inventory and routing use cases keep expanding.
- Investment plans show supply chain software budgets continuing to shift toward predictive and agentic tools.
RELEX Solutions has published new survey findings showing that supply chain organisations are increasing their use of AI in planning and execution, while keeping final control with human decision-makers. The research suggests AI is moving deeper into day-to-day operations, but not yet into fully autonomous supply chain management.
The company’s State of Supply Chain 2026 report, based on a January survey of 514 retail, manufacturing, wholesale, and supply chain leaders, found that only 10% would trust AI to make fully independent supply chain decisions. By contrast, 54% said they prefer AI to make recommendations while humans finalise decisions, and 67% said their confidence in using AI for supply chain decision-making has increased compared with last year.
Deployment is already shifting from pilots into operational use. The survey found that 47% are using or planning AI-driven inventory and supply optimisation, while 41% are applying AI to logistics and routing. Looking further ahead, 71% said they plan to invest in generative and agentic AI over the next three to five years, with 60% planning investment in predictive AI.
The balance in the findings is notable. Companies want faster planning, better optimisation, and stronger response to volatility, but they are still drawing a firm line around accountability. That is likely to keep the next wave of supply chain AI centred on decision support, workflow acceleration, and exception management rather than full autonomy across inventory, transport, and replenishment.
