Survey: Supply Chain Leaders Bet on AI in 2026 as Disruptions Accelerate

More than three-quarters of global supply chain executives expect to encounter higher levels of change and disruption in 2026, as many look to double down on artificial intelligence and other predictive technologies to improve resilience.

According to a survey of 3,650 C-suite leaders and 3,350 supply chain employees from consultancy Accenture, 58% are planning to improve forecasting and risk management in 2026, while another 59% are looking for ways to adapt existing resources to withstand market shifts. The confidence executives have in their ability to manage adversity also varies significantly depending on the category, with 51% reporting that they feel best prepared for technology-related disruptions, compared to just 42% for economic slowdowns, 38% for geopolitical strife, and 34% for environmental issues.

As companies look for ways to guard against these disruptions, a third of supply chain leaders said that building resilience is their top priority, while nearly 70% are investing in AI and digital tools in service of that strategy. Additionally, 85% of executives are planning to increase their spending on AI in 2026, with one in five expecting their AI spend to rise by 20% or more.

However, executives reported that they’re also hoping to have AI act as a complement to their human workers, rather than as a cost-saving measure to save on staffing costs. To wit, more than half said that they’re prioritizing operating models and organizational redesigns that would embed AI into the day-to-day responsibilities of an upskilled workforce.

 “As disruption accelerates, it is becoming increasingly important to bring people along the journey to realize the full value of AI investments,” said Accenture Global lead for talent and organization Inge Oosterhuis.

Despite those assurances, employees surveyed by Accenture still expressed fear for their jobs as AI investments ramp up, with less than half stating that they feel secure in their current role, down 11 percentage points from when they were asked that same question in the summer of 2025. Another 59% said that they believe young professionals are having a harder time finding jobs today due to automation and AI.