Global supply chains are at a decisive turning point. Disruption has become the new normal. Geopolitical tensions, changing customer needs, scarcity of supply critical materials, and the rapid advance of AI are no longer separate events, they now happen together, reinforcing each other. What used to be occasional shocks has become a continuous cycle of change shaking up how supply chains need to operate.
Our global study1 of 620 C-suite executives reveals a decisive shift: competitiveness in the decade ahead will be mainly driven not by efficiency, but by autonomy and intelligence.
Our study defines the autonomous intelligent supply chain framework, built on three interconnected pillars that enable companies to thrive amid continuous disruption. This next-generation model integrates AI-driven autonomy, self-orchestrating networks, and intelligent sustainability which are powered by two critical enablers: a data-driven digital foundation and human–AI collaboration.
Key insights from the study
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1. Regionalization is accelerating but maturity remains uneven.
Nearly half of companies are advancing in regionalizing or localizing their supply chains, creating the physical foundation for self-balancing networks. High costs, supplier gaps, and regulatory complexity are the biggest barriers to scale.
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2. True end-to-end autonomy remains rare.
While 90% of leaders believe AI will transform supply chains by 2030, only 8% of companies have fully integrated AI-driven planning and orchestration. Next-generation ERP platforms and predictive analytics are emerging as key enablers of end-to-end orchestration. AI’s true advantage is trapped behind poor data quality. 8 in10 executives cite Poor data quality is the biggest barrier in adopting AI in supply chain operations.
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3. Companies are investing in the digital backbone of autonomy and intelligence.
69% of executives rank cloud platforms among their top three investments followed by 50% prioritize AI and 46% focus on cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience to connect intelligence across the value chain. However, one in four companies still lacks smart procurement and orchestration tools to turn data into real-time decisions.
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4. Circularity is shifting from compliance to competitive advantage.
With 44% of firms treating circularity as a strategic investment. Yet scaling remains constrained by cost, supplier readiness, and lack of integrated design principles.
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5. The human dimension of autonomy is lagging behind technology.
Nine in ten executives cite change resistance and skill shortages as major obstacles to adopting AI. Technology investment is outpacing organizational readiness. Developing the mindset, skills, and collaboration for building human–AI collaboration is now critical for responsible and scalable transformation.
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6. Resilience is being redefined through diversification
By 2030, trade growth is expected to shift towards emerging markets, while China experiences a slowdown amid decoupling and diversification pressures. Executives see a pivot in regional diversification: with Chinese firms among others expanding into BRICS and ASEAN markets while establishing production bases in Europe to navigate tariff pressures.
Five golden rules for future-proofing your supply chain
- Design for regional resilience, not just reach.
- Standardize processes and elevate data quality.
- Scale AI where it creates measurable impact.
- Embed intelligent sustainability into design.
- Build an adaptive culture where people lead change.
Companies that continuously learn, collaborate, and innovate across their ecosystems will not only withstand disruption, but they will also shape the future of global supply networks.
1 BearingPoint research across 620 C-suite executives, across Europe, USA and China, conducted through online interviews in august 2025.
