Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world of supply chains. At NC State, students and faculty are getting ready for this change. They are not just learning how AI works—they are learning how to use it to build trust.
Ken Gregory, a MEM adjunct lecturer, recently spoke at the GS1 Connect Conference. He joined a panel called “Actionable Artificial Intelligence” and shared his thoughts with leaders from Walmart, Coca-Cola, HP and more.
“AI’s true power in supply chain lies in fostering trust and collaboration,” Gregory said. He explained that one bad experience in a supply chain can damage trust quickly. “A single poor experience requires at least four positive experiences to restore confidence,” he added.
NC State’s Focus on Trust and Ethics
To prepare for this future, NC State is teaching students more than just AI skills. In the College of Engineering, students learn about data, programming and smart systems. At the same time, they study how AI can affect people, companies and even whole communities.
In the Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) department, students and researchers are working on real-world problems. They use AI to help supply chains make better decisions. Their work includes predictive modeling, optimization and human-in-the-loop systems. These systems use both people and AI to solve tough problems.
The Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program is also adapting. It now puts a stronger focus on supply chain, analytics and IT management. According to Gregory, the goal is to teach “constructive, effective and ethical uses of AI.”
Learning from the Best
The GS1 Connect Conference helped show what leading companies are doing. GS1 is the group behind barcodes and product numbers used around the world. Their standards help companies share data and track goods. Gregory said, “If you’re striving for supply chain visibility and traceability, GS1 standards provide the common language.”
At the event, Gregory learned from companies like Johnson & Johnson, Nordstrom and Mars. He said the conference was “an invigorating experience.” His panel also discussed how AI can improve trust by helping partners work together and share accurate data.
Starting with the Basics
Although AI is exciting, Gregory reminded everyone that the basics come first. “You need to embrace the ‘unsexy’ work of data hygiene, customer journey and workflow,” he said. These steps help make sure the data is clean and useful before adding AI on top.
He also gave advice for companies just starting their AI journey. “It’s OK to start small and expand vs. boiling the ocean,” he said. This approach helps teams learn and adjust over time.
Looking Ahead
NC State is helping shape the future of AI in supply chains. By focusing on ethics, teamwork and trust, the university is preparing students to lead. As Gregory said, “With the right level of data hygiene and operational maturity,” AI can provide the insights and tools that make supply chains stronger, faster and more reliable.
In the years ahead, NC State’s students will not just use AI—they will help build a more trustworthy world.