Industry experts took center stage at the Global Supply Chain Summit hosted by Neeley’s Center for Supply Chain Innovation. In-depth conversations at the one-day event provided insights on Artificial Intelligence technologies and the future of global supply chain.
May 10, 2024
By Winter Harris
This spring, the Center for Supply Chain Innovation at the TCU Neeley School of Business hosted the Global Supply Chain Summit, bringing together thought leaders and industry experts to exchange ideas, explore new technologies, and shape the future of global supply chain. The summit sparked conversations that fostered innovation and provided insights on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.
This year’s summit was designed for attendees to think critically about the integration of AI technologies into their own supply chain practices, highlighting the need for adaptability and innovation in the face of rapidly evolving global challenges, said Morgan Swink executive director for the Center for Supply Chain Innovation and the Eunice and James L. West Chair in Supply Chain Management.
“Our program this year provided both an excellent overview of how technologies are changing the supply chain landscape today along with many useful insights on AI-use cases, future prospects, and implementation success factors,” Swink said. “The takeaways are clear – supply chain leaders need to understand and capitalize on these tech-enabled innovation opportunities.”
Keynote speaker Nick Elizondo, vice president for IT, Supply Chain/Research and Development Solutions at Keurig Dr. Pepper, started the event with a presentation on "AI in Supply Chain: Today and Tomorrow."
Elizondo provided valuable insights into the strategic tactics used by industry leaders like Keurig to innovate, solve, and prevent issues within supply chain. He highlighted the transformative impact of economic events such as COVID-19, economic tensions with China, and the recent Baltimore Bridge collapse, which propelled supply chain management from the backroom to the boardroom.
“You may ask why am I talking about AI today. Well, the truth is that everyone is talking about AI,” he said.
Elizondo detailed newly developed supply chain trends and strategies, emphasizing the increasing importance of AI in addressing complex challenges. By sharing real-life examples of AI platforms and their diverse applications, he illuminated the evolving presence of AI in the supply chain and business industry.
Following Elizondo's presentation, Swink moderated an insightful panel discussion on "Making the Most of AI Opportunities in Supply Chain Management." The panelists included Robert Dally, senior director of Data Science and Business Intelligence at Alcon; Kevin Gregory, practice lead of Generative AI at Deloitte Consulting LLP; Luiz Solia, vice president for Industry Principal at Kinaxis; and Kelly Slaughter, professor of professional practice on Information Systems at TCU Neeley.
The panelists shared their real-world experiences, offering valuable insights into leveraging AI in supply chain management. The discussion provided attendees with practical strategies and approaches to harness the power of AI to drive innovation and efficiency in their supply chain operations.
Jun Ha Seo, a junior Business Information Systems and Supply Chain Management major described the event as a unique offering of valuable information and industry expertise.
“The summit's unique position where students get to participate alongside the industry professionals is something that can't be attained elsewhere,” Seo said. “I truly enjoyed and appreciated the speakers’ insightful presentations on the future of supply chain regarding AI. I cannot wait to go back next year.
