The Future of Work in Supply Chain, Exponential Technology, AI, and Chat GPT with Dr. Yossi Sheffi (MIT, Author)

In Episode 77, Dr. Yossi Sheffi, iconic thought leader and
professor at MIT, innovator, and author of a new book ‘ The Magic
Conveyor Belt’ chats with host Sheri Hinish about the future of
supply chain including the people, exponential technology, and
disruptive themes that will shape the future of the profession.
This book offers explanations to pressing supply chain topics and
much more, with historical perspectives and modern examples. It
covers contemporary issues of outsourcing and re-shoring,
sustainability, resilience, regulations and the social,
managerial, and policy issues resulting from technological
innovations.


Additional topics covered in this episode include: how tech
adoption has shaped and helped humanity, how technology has
repurposed jobs, the digital divide, the impact of AI and ChatGPT
on the future of work and automation, and freeform flow on
sustainability, quantum, nuclear, and many other political,
provocative topics!


In the Magic Conveyor Belt, Professor Sheffi lays the foundation
for understanding supply chains and the characteristics that make
them complex. In Part 1 of the book “The Global Dance,” he delves
into the often-hidden intrinsic structure of supply chains to
ground the reader in the challenges of managing the mammoth
networks involved.


Part 2, “Further Complexity and Challenges,” shows how the last
50 years have added even more complexity to supply chains. This
part covers the rising demand for goods, as well as the
increasing consumer expectations for fast, perfect delivery
services.


The relevance on technology creates a sobering thought around the
digital divide. The digital divide is multifaceted and includes
many factors such as access, affordability, quality, and
relevance. As Michael Kende wrote, “the digital divide is
not a binary.” These gaps in availability, affordability,
interest, and digital literacy. The UN’s Broadband
Commission for Sustainable Development estimates that nearly
3.6 billion people remain totally unconnected to the Internet by
any measure. This means there are around 4.1 billion people
online, about 53.6% of the global population. 


What does the future hold for global supply chains and countries,
economies, marginalized communities left behind in a technology
infused world? 


The capabilities and future roles of automation, robotics, and
artificial intelligence are changing and augmenting the jobs held
by workers—covered in Parts 3 and 4. Elements of the book trace
the implications of multiple trends in the operating environment
for tomorrow’s global supply chains, as they change and augment
the jobs held by workers.


While many of the new skills require technical knowhow, it is
social skills, ironically, that may be a key for future human
employment in an economy dominated by technology.


To learn more about The Magic Conveyor Belt, visit
https://a.co/d/0mUVNYq


To connect with Yossi Sheffi on linkedin, visit
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yossi-sheffi-b38b731/


To connect with Host Sheri Hinish, visit
https://www.linkedin.com/in/supplychainqueen/