Supply chain data is often trapped inside disconnected systems, is formatted inconsistently, and is restricted by outdated protocols.

In today’s CPG environment, planners are expected to manage far more than demand and supply balancing. 

Leaders must move beyond the notion of agentic AI as merely a technical tool, and recognize its capacity to drive tangible improvements across sourcing, procurement and contracting processes.

Companies that adopt verifiable data frameworks will achieve coordination faster, operate with greater resilience, and reduce the friction that currently consumes operational budgets.

Cody Williams, director of solutions consulting with e2open, clues us in on the progress and long-term potential of artificial intelligence in global trade management.

While much of the attention last year focused on Gen AI to do things better, the focus in 2026 will shift to agentic AI to do things entirely differently

The most significant opportunity presented by tariff challenges is the chance for teams to achieve better agility and awareness.

AI capability will move from niche expertise to baseline literacy, on par with digital and data fluency. 

Integrated into SaaS platforms, AI classification becomes global, consistent and collaborative.

AI-driven trade analytics promise unprecedented foresight. But bias, bad data and black-box models mean leaders can’t afford blind trust.