Supply Chain Now — The Buzz: Human + Machine — Redefining the Future of Supply Chains

Episode Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Scott Lewton, Kevin L. Jackson
Guest: Adrian Gonzalez (President, Adelante SCM)

Episode Overview

In this lively year-end episode of “The Buzz,” hosts Scott Lewton and Kevin L. Jackson are joined by renowned supply chain analyst Adrian Gonzalez. Together, they tackle some of 2025’s most pressing supply chain topics: integrating human and machine intelligence, the real-world progress of drone delivery programs, the promise and peril of humanoid robots in logistics, and the surprising resilience of global trade. The episode also dives into Adrian’s recent research on supply chain digitization, spotlighting industry trends and technology expectations as the new year approaches.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Human + Machine: The Imperative of Collaboration

[03:54–06:37] Scott & Kevin Recap Gartner Takeaways

• Jake Barr (Global Supply Chain leader) at the Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit: Organizations must develop deliberate human-machine strategies—starting small with targeted use cases and redesigning processes to leverage new tech. Transformation must be people-led, not imposed.
  • Quote [04:43] (Scott citing Jake Barr):
    “Staying in neutral is not an option. This is not yesterday’s supply chain. Today’s technology unlocks capabilities industry has never had before.”
• Many leaders are still hesitant around emerging tech; “deers in headlights” is a common thread.
• Kevin emphasizes the necessity of including both humans and advanced machines (including AI) in business transformation:
  • Quote [05:04] Kevin:
    “You have to take in both humans and machines and even that artificial intelligence kind of machine in your plans because that’s really the only way you can keep up with the change in today’s environment.”

2. Walmart’s Drone Delivery Rollout

[07:56–10:38] Scott & Kevin on Drones

• Walmart is scaling drone delivery from 6 stores in Atlanta to new cities (Houston, Charlotte, Orlando, Tampa), aiming to reach 75% of those metro populations.
• Kevin’s view: Drone delivery is “exploding nationwide and even globally”—paralleling the e-commerce shift during the pandemic, now evolving to aerial delivery.
  • Quote [08:44] Kevin:
    “The convenience to your customers, reduced cost and reduced headache for those customers... This is another shift where the drone is bringing everything to you.”
• Scott reflects on seeing drones navigating real-world environments—technology learning in public view.
• Consensus: Walmart currently has an edge in drone delivery compared to Amazon.

3. Will Humans Embrace Humanoids?

[22:24–29:55] Panel on Humanoid Robots in Supply Chain

• Adrian shares research from his Indigo supply chain community:
  • Adoption is low: Only one respondent actively using humanoids in logistics ops.
  • Skepticism persists: 63% have no interest; 26% are exploring use cases.
  • Most likely applications: Picking/packing (65%), repetitive assembly (62%), truck loading (38%).
• Adrian questions the “humanoid” form factor in warehouses:
  • Quote [25:50] Adrian:
    “I’m a little bit skeptical…if you’re going to do a robot, this is a great way to start with a clean slate. Trying to copy a human body in robot form lacks creativity.”
• Kevin agrees, preferring specialized robots over imperfect human mimicry:
  • Quote [26:41] Kevin:
    “Humans, our form factor is just too generalized to be perfect in anything.”
• Counterpoint: Some argue human-like robots offer flexibility as multi-functional assets.
• Social acceptance is a challenge; Adrian and Kevin would be more comfortable working alongside robots that don’t look human.

4. Resilience in Global Trade

[31:33–34:39] Reflection on 2025 Trade Volumes

• Despite tariffs, trade wars, and geopolitical friction, global trade (goods and services) hit $35 trillion in 2025, up 7% YoY. China posts a record $1 trillion trade surplus.
• Adrian’s key point: Forecasting trade is fraught with uncertainty, but global moves toward free trade are robust and resilient.
  • Quote [31:33] Adrian:
    “Making predictions and forecasts is a fool’s errand in this… So many factors that it’s unpredictable.”
• Kevin notes: Big changes grab headlines, rollbacks do not, but globalization’s benefits are too valuable to reverse.

5. State of Digitization in Freight Forwarding

[37:12–46:45] Adrian’s Latest Research

• Adrian’s recent study (in partnership with Magaya):
  • Only 23% of freight forwarders surveyed have digitized over 75% of their processes.
  • Large freight forwarders are more digitized than smaller players.
  • Shippers now expect digital capabilities—they’re table stakes, not differentiators.
    • Quote [39:53] Adrian:
      “Shippers are no longer impressed by digital capabilities. They expect them.”
  • 90% of shippers consider technology “extremely or very important” when evaluating logistics partners, yet 38% are dissatisfied with current tech provided by forwarders and 3PLs.
  • Real-time visibility is ranked as the most valued capability, but only 23% of forwarders offer real-time shipment tracking.
• Investments in AI are increasing, particularly among large forwarders; main barrier for many is “lack of internal expertise or understanding.”
  • Quote [46:19] Adrian:
    “The answer was lack of internal expertise or understanding. That points to the need to upskill or reskill their employees to understand the technology and how it can apply to their business.”

6. Leadership Challenge & Change Management

• Scott, drawing from Jake Barr and Adrian’s findings, underscores that embracing technology is now a leadership test.
  • Quote [42:04] Scott:
    “One of the most important things we can do…is make better decisions, faster and more confidently. Where technology is today…we can move in real time and empower that decision making unlike ever before.”
• Both Scott and Kevin stress the importance of focusing on relevant data and investing in change management, reskilling, and upskilling.

7. Space Logistics & The Final Frontier

[49:59–51:06] Kevin L. Jackson’s Update

• Kevin is involved with the Institute for Digital Asset Innovation (real-world asset tokenization for space economy) and Space Phoenix (“the FedEx for low earth orbit”).
  • Quote [51:06] Kevin:
    “They’re making it easy to use the asset of zero G to produce things like pure crystals for semiconductors or to grow corneas for eyes…they’ll have their first launch in 2027.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [04:43] Scott citing Jake Barr:
  “Staying in neutral is not an option. This is not yesterday’s supply chain…today’s technology unlocks capabilities industry has never had before.”
• [05:04] Kevin:
  “You have to take in both humans and machines and even that artificial intelligence kind of machine in your plans…”
• [25:50] Adrian:
  “Trying to copy a human body in robot form I think lacks creativity…give me a robot that hovers and has octopus arms with suction cups…be creative with it.”
• [39:53] Adrian:
  “Shippers are no longer impressed by digital capabilities. They expect them.”
• [46:19] Adrian:
  “The biggest concern and challenge…about AI…was lack of internal expertise or understanding.”

Additional Timestamps for Key Segments

• [11:50–16:35] Warm-up: Hosts and Guest share holiday music memories (humanizing, light-hearted segment)
• [18:07–22:24] USMCA Trade Agreement Uncertainty—Strategic planning and scenario development
• [43:44–47:09] Research: Degree of digitization among freight forwarders; tech expectations gap between shippers and logistics providers

Further Reading & Resources

• Adrian Gonzalez’s research reports & newsletter: Talking Logistics
• Freight Forwarding Digitization Study (free to download; see episode links)
• Walmart drone delivery coverage: [Supply Chain Dive article referenced]
• China's first humanoid robot store (Wuhan) — see provided segment link

Takeaways for Supply Chain Leaders

• Lean in to digital transformation: It’s people-led. Leadership must make new technology approachable and involve the full team in shaping solutions.
• Drone and humanoid technologies are moving from theory to public trials—expect more operational learning and shifting consumer acceptance.
• Digitization is table stakes. Shippers expect it; lagging behind risks lost business.
• Real-time, data-driven decision making is essential. Still, many firms trail in real-world capabilities—especially among small and mid-sized providers.
• Upskilling and reskilling are critical to realizing the potential of emerging technologies, particularly AI.

Connect with the Hosts & Guest

• Adrian Gonzalez:

  • LinkedIn: Adrian Gonzalez
  • Talking Logistics: talkinglogistics.com

• Kevin L. Jackson:

  • LinkedIn: Kevin L. Jackson
  • X (Twitter): @KevinJackson

• Scott Lewton:

  • Supply Chain Now website

This episode provides a practical, insightful, and, at times, entertaining look at the future of supply chains—emphasizing the necessity (and inevitability) of progressing hand-in-hand with technology, and the continuing central role of human leadership and creativity in making that future successful.

For more, subscribe to Supply Chain Now and join the ongoing conversation about the future of supply chain.