Key Takeaways from Gartner Supply Chain Symposium 2026

Supply chain is evolving rapidly and AI is changing how decisions are made. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton, Karin Bursa, and Jake Barr talk with Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, about the key insights from the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium. They explore how supply chain leaders can leverage AI to improve operational efficiency, redesign workflows, and enhance decision-making to remain competitive in the coming years. They discuss the importance of cross-functional initiatives, storytelling for CSCOs, and understanding where technology fits as an enabler rather than the solution.

The episode breaks down strategies for shifting supply chain operations toward autonomy, including optimizing decision velocity, redesigning critical workflows, and applying AI thoughtfully to reduce manual handoffs and eliminate inefficiencies. Listeners gain insight into how to balance growth, cost, risk, and talent, and why CSCOs need to communicate their strategic value effectively within the C-suite. The conversation also highlights real-world examples of organizations leveraging technology to enable their workforce, not replace it, and emphasizes the potential of agentic AI in planning and disruption management.

Together, the panel explores why focusing on decision stacks and workflow design is critical for AI readiness, how to prioritize high-impact areas for operational improvements, and why relying solely on technology without a defined problem can lead to missed opportunities. They provide guidance for supply chain professionals on preparing for the future of planning, autonomous operations, and AI-enabled decision-making, illustrating the massive potential for efficiency gains and strategic advantage over the next several years.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(04:07) AI adoption challenges and budget concerns

(06:41) Avoiding siloed implementation of AI

(08:56) CSCO influence and strategic storytelling

(10:24) Autonomy as the new operating model

(15:45) Technology as an enabler, not a driver

(20:00) Decision stacks and workflow redesign

(27:42) Planning summit highlights and upcoming events

(34:28) Agentic AI market potential by 2030

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Mike Griswold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/
• Connect with Karin Bursa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinbursa/
• Connect with Jake Barr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-barr-3883501/
• Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/en
• 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://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/
• WEBINAR- From AI Pilots to Performance: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Scaling Agentic AI: https://bit.ly/49hCqIq
• WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D
• WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf
• WEBINAR- AI that moves at velocity: Cut through latency with agentic workflows:
• https://bit.ly/4x4626t
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This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at:

https://supplychainnow.com/key-takeaways-gartner-supply-chain-symposium-2026-1591

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