A majority of supply chain disruptions could be resolved without human intervention within the next decade as artificial intelligence capabilities advance, according to Gartner.
The business and technology insights firm says that by 2031, 60 per cent of disruptions will be managed autonomously as companies adopt AI-driven tools that can analyze and respond to issues in real time.
The shift comes as global supply chains face mounting pressure from trade policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, increasing the risk of delays, mismanagement and financial losses without advanced analytics or automated decision-making.
A Gartner survey of 509 supply chain leaders conducted in October 2025 found that changes driven by AI and so-called agentic AI are expected to be the most influential factor shaping supply chain performance over the next two years. Many chief supply chain officers are already adopting these tools or plan to do so within that timeframe.
“As more frequent and complex disruptions continue to test response capacity, organizations are moving toward AI that can sense and act in real time to improve the consistency and speed of decisions,” said Julia von Massow, director analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice. “CSCOs should focus on expanding autonomy in a controlled manner by starting with low-risk decisions and building the data and governance needed to grow automation capabilities responsibly in the coming years.”
Gartner cautions that current limitations in technology and data availability mean full automation should, for now, be limited to lower-risk decisions. Higher-stakes decisions are better suited to a hybrid approach, where AI supports human judgment rather than replaces it.
The firm says organizations will also need to adapt their operating models, shifting toward more flexible structures and new governance frameworks as AI takes on a larger role in decision-making. Chief supply chain officers are expected to play a greater role in overseeing AI-enabled processes and ensuring compliance with emerging regulations.
Gartner recommends companies align AI strategies with broader business objectives, invest in data quality and governance, plan for the workforce impacts of automation and establish contingency protocols for when autonomous systems fail.
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