Sourceability’s founder and CEO, Jens Gamperl, predicts a rapid rise of AI, automation and machine learning to provide a more integrated and transparent supply chain
As our supply chain becomes increasingly unstable, I’m foreseeing a rise in digital solutions and AI. We have already seen surging interest in digital solutions, like Sourcengine.com, due to procurement teams scrambling to find alternative ways to pushout products for the holidays.
The magnitude of shortages leading up to 2022 illuminates the dire need for the electronics industry to start correcting the supply/demand imbalance. This needs to be done by digitizing the supply chain, which will create a more integrated and transparent system. We’ll see more companies embracing AI, automation and machine learning, developing a 360-degree supply chain view to prevent or predict future disruptions.
Digitization will offer faster data analysis, allowing AI in marketplaces to support and accelerate supply chain processes.
We may also see diversified manufacturing. While most materials are made in East Asia, an overreliance on one world region has proved unsustainable. We’ve seen calls for government funding to help ensure future global crises won’t create such damaging shortages.
Although shortages are a common occurrence in the semiconductor industry, the current crisis is unique due to its scope and duration. Some products and commodities will still have major issues into 2022, and we’ll likely be dealing with shortages until 2023. That said, there will be long-term changes to how electronic components are sourced, especially given the interest in digital solutions and government interest in updating the supply chain.
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