AI is moving fast and it’s changing the way supply chains are run. But a big question remains: how do you tap into its power without losing control or replacing the judgment you and your team bring to the table?

In this episode of the S&OP MasterClass, Søren Hammer Pedersen sits down with Benjamin Obling, a supply chain expert with 16 years at Roima. You’ll hear real examples of how companies are using AI in demand forecasting and inventory planning without cutting people out of the process.

If you’ve been wondering how to get AI working for you, without creating blind spots or overreliance, you’ll want to listen in. We talk about practical ways to build trust, add smart governance, and use AI where it makes sense while keeping human judgment front and center.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

1. How to balance AI automation with human judgment in planning.
2. Key AI-driven improvements in demand forecasting and inventory management.
3. Importance of trust and governance in adopting AI strategies.
4. How to determine what to automate and where humans are needed.
5. Embracing AI while maintaining control through guardrails and alerts.

Episode content 
00:44 The rise of AI in supply chain planning
03:39 Current challenges in AI integration for planning
04:51 Trust and governance in AI predictions
07:03 Finding starting points for AI automation in planning
08:45 Leveraging AI across different planning disciplines
09:13 Identifying critical areas for human oversight
12:19 Balancing automation and human judgment
16:56 Knowing when to trust AI predictions
19:18 Ensuring transparency in AI-driven processes
23:36 Impacts of AI on sales and operations planning
29:10 Future outlook for AI in supply chain planning

Production
This podcast is brought to you by Roima.
This podcast is produced by Montanus.