How AI Is Transforming Supply Chain Jobs, Skills, and the Future Workforce

The AI hype cycle is over. The scaling race has begun. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton welcomes special guest co-host Marina Mayer, Content Director of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Co-Founder of the Women in Supply Chain Forum, for a wide-ranging conversation on how AI is actually reshaping global supply chains, manufacturing, and the workforce behind them. Marina unpacks data showing the AI in logistics and supply chain market is set to grow from just over $20 billion to nearly $196 billion by 2034, and explains why the real driver isn't AI adoption itself but companies learning to target it to the specific parts of the business where it belongs. From there, the two dig into a 2026 AI Skills Enterprise Benchmark from Workera, revealing that manufacturers committed to structured upskilling are hitting 79% workforce readiness scores, and why employee confidence, not just capability, is the missing piece in so many transformation efforts. The conversation builds into how KPMG research shows 73% of businesses are now planning a comprehensive overhaul of their supply chain operating model within the next three years, up from just 11% a year prior, and what that means for hiring, training, and the next generation of talent entering the industry. Marina and Scott also explore how mid-sized businesses are using AI to manage expenses and detect fraud, and revisit a conversation on putting frontline AI directly into the hands of workers on the floor to speed up onboarding and decision-making. Along the way, Marina previews the 2026 Women in Supply Chain Forum in Charleston, including its new mentorship program and self-advocacy theme. If you want a grounded, data-backed read on where AI in supply chain is headed next, this conversation delivers.   Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (00:25) Meet Marina Mayer (02:00) Balancing work and sports mom logistics (05:28) The 196 billion AI supply chain boom (06:05) Why AI adoption needs a targeted approach (10:36) The 2026 AI Skills Enterprise Benchmark (13:02) Building employee confidence with AI (16:18) Lessons from MODEX and workforce transformation (19:38) Why 73 percent are overhauling operating models (25:47) Mid market businesses tackle AI and expenses (28:35) Putting frontline AI in workers hands (35:27) Women in Supply Chain Forum 2026 preview   Additional Links & Resources: Connect with Marina Mayer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinamayer/ Learn more about Supply & Demand Chain Executive: https://www.sdcexec.com/ Learn more about Food Logistics: https://www.foodlogistics.com/ Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/ Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/ Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now   Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join   Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkps://bit.ly/4aTlsRv WEBINAR- The Future of Supply Chains: Where Talent Meets Technology: https://bit.ly/4uUuxkc WEBINAR- Peak Reality Check: What Shippers, Analysts, and AI Models Are Predicting for 2026: https://bit.ly/4aTlsRv WEBINAR- From Volume to Resilience: How Automotive Supply Chains Are Adapting to a New Market Reality: https://bi