519: Overcoming The Perfect Storm: Moving Beyond Basic Automation To Realize AI's Full Potential, with Amazon Web Services

Kris Orlowski of Amazon Web Services talks about their recent survey and what it reveals about data, trust, decision-making and AI readiness in supply chain.

 

IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

 

[04.12] An introduction to Kris, his background, and his role at Amazon Web Services.

“A good part of my role right now, as we’re continuing to innovate, is understanding what supply chain practitioners actually want and need.”

[05.17] An overview of AWS – who they are, what they do, and how they help their customers.

[06.20] An overview of Amazon Web Services’ recent industry survey, who they spoke to, and what they were trying to understand.

“We were really trying to understand the gap between aspiration and reality – because there’s a lot of hype!”

[08.12] The challenges businesses are currently facing when it comes to data and decision-making.

“85% of supply chain teams take two or more weeks to resolve urgent issues… And it’s partly because of the ‘data gathering tax.’”

[14.14] From engaging in less strategic work to the creation of a risk aversion culture, the business impact of slow and inaccurate decision-making.

“When you spend your time firefighting, you’re not doing strategic work.”

“The cost of a delayed decision can exceed the cost of an imperfect one.”

[17.20] The surprising results revealed by the AWS survey around how supply chain practitioners envision AI as part of their operations, and what the three-step ‘execute, adapt, advise’ approach could mean for businesses.

“Organizations are envisioning AI as an operational partner, not just a tool… An assistant that can work alongside them.”

[21.21] The ‘double barrier phenomenon’ organizations see when trying to implement AI, and what those barriers to both adoption and utilization look like.

“57% said the top barrier to realizing AI’s full potential was a limited understanding of its capabilities, followed by a lack of trust in AI recommendations.”

“Organizations are buying AI technology, but they’re not building AI readiness.”

[27.17] What businesses are looking for to help them build trust in new technology and AI-powered decision-making.

[31.00] How vendors and developers should be thinking about partnership, trust and building the type of AI that businesses are actually looking for.

“There’s a trust paradox. Organizations want AI that is simultaneously autonomous, but controllable; intelligent, but explainable; proactive, but compliant. The vendors that understand this will build AI that organizations actually use, not just purchase.”

[35.02] The big opportunities for organizations that are able to make real strides in their decision-making, and how listeners can access the report.

[37.36] The survey results that surprised Kris most, and what they might mean for businesses and AI adoption.

[41.15] The practical next steps businesses can take to ensure their AI journeys are a success in 2026.

 

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:

 

Head over to Amazon Web Service’s website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with AWS and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Kris on LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from AWS, check out 489: Time To Swap Your Axe For A Chainsaw: The Power of Agentic AI.

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