AI is no longer optional. How is your business using it?

Organizations that move forward to embrace AI in the supply chain will stay strong and productive, even in the face of geopolitical volatility, labor challenges, and increasing demand to show short-term ROI. As more companies invest in real-time data-sharing platforms and scenario planning, the 2025 Agility Index by Nucleus Research assesses agility levels in several key areas among manufacturers, distributors, building suppliers, and retailers.

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As part of scenario planning in changing markets, are you hiring AI-savvy workers to help with risk analysis, data modeling, and cross-functional coordination?

Nucleus found that 74% of companies modeling geo-risk scenarios are hiring more employees for AI-related roles.

Those performing risk scenario modeling and ai hiring activity level

74.2% Hire more AI roles

66.7% Have AI roles, no more hires

57% Plan hires < 12mo

25.2% Plan hires < 24mo

9.4% No AI roles

Are you using data platforms?

Nucleus found that real-time data-sharing platforms have become the cornerstone of digital supply architecture, with over 50.6% of respondents reporting adoption.

Are you using data platforms?

Nucleus found that real-time data-sharing platforms have become the cornerstone of digital supply architecture, with over 50.6% of respondents reporting adoption.

Adoption of data platforms (N=966)

50.6% Real-time data-sharing platform

44.4% Integrated planning workspace

33.2% Internal collab portal

32.3% Supplier contract management platform

25.7% Cloud SC visibility platform

8.9% None

Work in building supply?

Your industry is part of an AI-forward trend, where AI is no longer a distant innovation but a near-term operational priority.

Compared to the 2024 Supply Chain Agility Index, when many organizations remained cautious in their approach to technology in the supply chain, the latest report shows that nearly 69% of building supply firms increased their AI investment over the past year, with 16% increasing it significantly and 52% increasing it slightly.

Change in AI investment Compared to last Year (by Industry)

All Industries

Building Supply

Distribution

Manufacturing

Retail

Building Supply

16% Increased significantly

52% Increased slightly

31% Stayed the same

1% Decreased

Distribution

32% Increased significantly

45% Increased slightly

22% Stayed the same

1% Decreased

Manufacturing

35% Increased significantly

43% Increased slightly

23% Stayed the same

0% Decreased

Retail

30% Increased significantly

40% Increased slightly

29% Stayed the same

1% Decreased

Use our Maturity Model to benchmark your company in essential areas like supply chain management and AI-assisted human workflows. You’ll see where you fall on the readiness scale: Is your business at Awareness and Initial Exploration, Planning and Pilot Implementation, Systematic Integration and Optimization, Expansion and Optimization Through Iteration, Advanced Automation and System-Wide Synergy, or Industry Leadership?

AI is no longer optional. How is your business using it?

As part of scenario planning in changing markets, are you hiring AI-savvy workers to help with risk analysis, data modeling, and cross-functional coordination?

Nucleus found that 74% of companies modeling geo-risk scenarios are hiring more employees for AI-related roles.

Are you using data platforms?

Nucleus found that real-time data-sharing platforms have become the cornerstone of digital supply architecture, with over 50.6% of respondents reporting adoption.

Are you using data platforms?

Nucleus found that real-time data-sharing platforms have become the cornerstone of digital supply architecture, with over 50.6% of respondents reporting adoption.

Work in building supply?

Your industry is part of an AI-forward trend, where AI is no longer a distant innovation but a near-term operational priority.

When you know the path you need to take, you can map a clear route for future business success.

When you know the path you need to take, you can map a clear map for future business success.