Supply Chain Confidence Drops as Leaders Struggle with Geopolitical Disruptions — Blue Yonder Group, Inc.

Event summary

Blue Yonder's 2026 Supply Chain Compass report shows a decline in supply chain leaders' confidence, with 66% feeling ready for the future, down from 73% in 2025.
Only 20% of leaders can respond to geopolitical disruptions within 24 hours, while 38% take longer than a week.
Optimistic leaders are more likely to invest in unified data platforms and AI, with 87% feeling prepared for the future compared to 48% of less optimistic peers.
AI adoption is widening, with 45% using machine learning/predictive AI and 24% using generative AI, double the rate from 2025.

The big picture

The decline in supply chain confidence highlights the growing challenges leaders face in navigating geopolitical risks and technological disruptions. Optimistic leaders are differentiating themselves through strategic investments in AI and unified data platforms, suggesting a potential bifurcation in the industry between those who can adapt and those who lag behind. As supply chains become more complex, the ability to make faster, better decisions will be a key competitive advantage.

What we're watching

Technology Divide: How the gap between optimistic and less optimistic leaders will widen as AI and unified data platforms become more critical for supply chain resilience.
Geopolitical Vulnerability: Whether supply chain leaders can accelerate their response times to geopolitical disruptions, which remain the slowest to address.
AI Investment Trends: The pace at which generative AI and agentic AI adoption will grow, and how this will impact decision-making and operational efficiency.