Supply Chain Eyes Real-Time Decisions - But Few Are Ready

Prediko to Launch AI Agents, Deloitte Says Agentic AI is Gaining Traction in Logistics and Forto Refuses to Answer Simple Questions Regarding Its Generative Copilot

In the second half of the year, supply chain strategy is shifting from better dashboards to something far more consequential: systems that can think and act for themselves. A new generation of AI tools is gaining traction — not as passive assistants, but as autonomous agents actively shaping decisions in real time.

“We’re moving beyond spreadsheets and static dashboards,” said Cyrus Mahler, COO at inventory intelligence firm Prediko. “Our AI agent, set to launch soon, doesn’t wait for humans to react — it translates live demand signals into smart purchasing decisions on the fly. This is the new baseline.”

Prediko is part of a growing wave betting on what’s being called Agentic AI. According to a new report from Deloitte, this isn’t about slick chatbots or generative models that write emails. It’s about intelligent agents with memory, reasoning, and the ability to orchestrate complex workflows across supply, demand, and finance — all without constant human oversight.

Cyrus Mahler, COO Prediko

These agents are already appearing in core operations: managing inventory balances, adjusting pricing dynamically, routing shipments, even flagging compliance risks. Deloitte’s analysts describe them as “collaborators,” not tools — systems that learn, adapt, and improve with each cycle. But while the technology is gaining momentum, not everyone is ready to show what they’re actually doing with it.

Forto’s Big Claims, Quiet Answers

Berlin-based logistics tech firm Forto recently released its Logistics Trend Compass 2025, naming AI and machine learning the industry’s top trend. The report calls out Flash, Forto’s generative AI copilot, as a sign of “great potential” in transforming transport management.

The Supply Chainer followed up with a few straightforward questions: What’s holding back broader AI adoption in logistics, given that only 2% of companies report real deployment? Can Forto share a concrete example of how Flash improved exception handling or throughput for a client? And how might tools like Flash help make sustainability a more decisive factor in partner selection, beyond marketing language?

Forto declined to respond — citing that it does not operate in the U.S. market. That’s despite its report making global claims and offering no geographic disclaimers.

The lack of engagement invites questions of its own. Marketing can spotlight a proprietary AI system as a breakthrough, but declining to answer even basic questions creates a credibility gap. No one expects companies to reveal trade secrets — but avoiding specifics entirely casts doubt on how much of the innovation exists beyond the press release.

That silence speaks volumes. Because while some companies are quietly building autonomous systems that make smarter, faster decisions every hour of the day — like Prediko — others are still deciding whether they’re ready to experiment, or even explain.

AI-native decision-making is no longer futuristic. It’s happening now, often behind the scenes. And those who embrace it won’t just move faster — they’ll plan smarter, react earlier, and scale with more confidence. Whether or not they say so publicly.

If you’re a supply chain expert with a story to share - we’d love to hear from you. Reach out at editor@thesupplychainer.com