Agentic AI, ambient invisible intelligence, and an augmented connected workforce. According to global consulting firm Gartner, those are some of the top supply chain technology trends for 2025.
“This year’s trends highlight the transformative potential of connectivity and intelligence in supply chains, enabling leaders to enhance operational efficiency and adaptability,” said Christian Titze, VP Analyst and Chief of Research in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice in the announcement. “By evaluating and integrating advanced technologies like agentic AI and intelligent simulation, organizations can achieve specific goals, foster innovation and achieve long-term competitive advantage.”
But will companies be able to do what’s needed to make the most of them? Read on to learn more about the top tech trends identified and what Gartner says about optimizing their potential.
Transforming supply chains with technology
Gartner says advances in technology will provide supply chain technology leaders and chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) with opportunities to “support digital value realization, enhance workforce productivity, and innovate new operating models.”
The firm describes two broad themes as driving this year’s trends:
- The need for supply chain leaders to “leverage emerging technologies to enhance connectivity”
- Tools that “foster intelligence to drive competitive differentiation and operational efficiency”
It also identifies eight top trends in supply chain technology for 2025.
1. Ambient Invisible Intelligence
The availability of “ultra-low-cost, small smart tags and sensors” enables ambient invisible intelligence — which allows for “large-scale, affordable tracking and sensing,” providing “real-time visibility into end-to-end supply chains.” Gartner says this technology is “particularly useful for monitoring perishable goods and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations through enhanced traceability.”
2. Augmented Connected Workforce (ACWF)
ACWF initiatives “leverage digital tools to improve decision accuracy and reduce variability, addressing the significant skills gap in today’s workforce,” according to Gartner. The firm notes that by “digitizing standard operating procedures, organizations can accelerate employee onboarding and enhance productivity across manufacturing and logistics operations.”
3. Multimodal UI
By using a multimodal UI, Gartner says users can “interact with systems through multiple modes of communication,” boosting both efficiency and the user experience. One example is the use of UI in logistics “to improve driver safety and productivity through voice-activated controls and gesture-based interfaces.”
4. Polyfunctional Robots
Gartner says polyfunctional robots can “take on multiple tasks and adapt to new roles, providing a flexible workforce solution.” The firm says these robots are “increasingly used in warehouses to perform tasks ranging from sorting to packaging, reducing the need for human intervention.”
5. Agentic AI
The firm describes Agentic AI systems as a “virtual workforce of AI agents that autonomously execute decisions, enhancing adaptability and efficiency in supply chain operations.” One example? “These agents can optimize inventory management by autonomously adjusting stock levels based on real-time demand forecasts,” Gartner explains.
6. Autonomous Data Collection
Technologies such as drones and mobile robots “autonomously capture data, enhancing productivity and reducing labor in supply chain operations,” the firm says. It gives the example of drones being used for inventory checks in warehouses, “significantly reducing the time and risk associated with manual counts.”
7. Decision Intelligence (DI)
Gartner says DI combines “decision modeling, AI, and analytics” to “support, augment, and automate decision making, driving business outcomes.” The firm says this technology “allows supply chain leaders to understand how tools come to decisions and then improve those based on feedback.”
8. Intelligent Simulation
By “integrating AI and ML into traditional simulation models,” Gartner says intelligent simulation “enhances predictive capabilities and decision making in supply chain operations.” One example? Intelligent simulation “allows companies to optimize logistics routes and warehouse layouts, improving efficiency and reducing costs,” the firm explains.
“These trends offer multiple strategic pathways for organizations to innovate and excel in a rapidly evolving environment,” says Kaitlynn Sommers, Senior Director Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice. “By prioritizing these technologies based on business requirements and use cases that clearly map toward strategic outcomes, supply chain leaders can better manage complexities and achieve their critical objectives.”
Among the eight, one that stands out is agentic AI — which Gartner predicts will be included in 50% of supply chain management solutions by 2030.
“Supply chain technology investments need to improve efficiency or contribute to profit growth in today’s climate of uncertainty,” Sommers said in a separate statement. “Agentic AI has the potential to do both by providing a new means to enhance resource efficiency, automate complex tasks, and introduce new business models across supply chains.”
“Agentic AI represents a revolution from robotic process automation (RPA) as the AI agents will autonomously complete tasks without relying on explicit inputs or predefined outcomes,” she added. “Agents will continuously learn from real-time data and adapt to evolving conditions and complex demands. Chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) at the forefront of this next wave in the evolution of generative AI (GenAI) can achieve maximum value.”
Optimizing technology’s potential
While touting the great potential of advancing technologies, Gartner also predicts that many companies won’t do what’s needed to make the most of it.
“By 2028, 60% of supply chain digital adoption efforts will fail to deliver promised value due to insufficient investment in learning and development (L&D),” the firm said in a recent statement. “To improve digital adoption outcomes, chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) must take the lead in prioritizing strategic L&D initiatives, protect and maintain investment levels, and adopt agile methodologies to ensure effective skills development.”
Gartner survey data of 579 supply chain practitioners completed in October 2024 revealed concerns about optimizing technology’s potential. Eyeing the next three-to-five years, among the supply chain leaders polled:
- 58% identified rapid tech advancement as a major future challenge
- 58% expected intensified talent competition to raise hiring costs
- 40% believed hyperautomation was evolving skills requirements
Gartner says its additional research on generative AI (GenAI) deployments within supply chain revealed that “individual productivity gains enabled by the technology for desk-based workers have not translated into gains at the team level or for frontline workers.”
The firm says results like these indicate that L&D initiatives must be “integrated into the technology investment process” to optimize value.
“In the current economic climate, CSCOs are under immense pressure to manage costs while striving for efficiency gains through new technology investments,” says Tom Enright, VP Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice. “While technology promises long-term cost savings, the lack of investment in L&D jeopardizes these initiatives, as it is crucial to equip teams with the skills needed to leverage these new tools effectively.”
“High-performing learning environments are emerging as strategic differentiators,” he adds. “Leaders in these enterprises embed L&D initiatives within their new technology investments and are therefore better able to shield these activities from short-term budget pressures.”
Overcoming challenges
The good news is that by following specific strategies, Gartner says CSCOs have a better chance of overcoming digital adoption barriers:
- Lead and invest in development: “Supply chain leaders should spearhead L&D strategy, collaborating with HR to focus on skills, audiences, priorities, timing, and funding. …”
- Reframe L&D as an investment: “Position L&D as a critical component of supply chain outcomes, emphasizing its role in amplifying the future value of data, technology, and productivity from AI investments.”
- Invest consistently during technology deployment: “Maintain steady investment in L&D to shift mindsets, skills, and behaviors. …”
- Embrace agile methodologies: “Implement agile learning tools and methodologies that allow supply chain staff to use natural language questions for real-time learning. …”
For additional details, please see:
- Gartner Identifies Top Supply Chain Technology Trends for 2025
- Gartner Predicts Half of Supply Chain Management Solutions Will Include Agentic AI Capabilities by 2030
- Gartner Survey Shows Supply Chain GenAI Productivity Gains at Individual Level, While Creating New Complications for Organizations
- Gartner Predicts 60% of Supply Chain Digital Adoption Efforts Will Fail to Deliver Promised Value by 2028
