In a world where climate change is reshaping the way we grow, transport, and consume the things we rely on, understanding the first mile of supply chains has never been more critical. That’s the stage where over 60 per cent of risks arise, yet it remains the hardest to measure and manage. In a recent episode of Tech Transform, Trisha Pillay sits down with Jonathan Horn, co-founder and CEO of Treefera, to explore how artificial intelligence is providing clarity, actionable insights, and sustainable solutions for this complex ecosystem.

The First Mile and Climate Pressures

Horn’s perspective comes from a mix of experience: growing up on a farm, studying physics, and working in investment banking. That combination gives him a lens on both the natural systems that underpin agriculture and the data-driven tools that help manage risk.

Extreme weather patterns like droughts, heavy rainfall, and hurricanes are putting pressure on crops such as cocoa, coffee, wheat, and soy. The consequences ripple outward: production costs rise, commodity prices fluctuate, and supply chains become less predictable. A simple example illustrates this clearly: certain chocolate biscuits in the UK have moved from being chocolate-filled to chocolate-flavoured, reflecting disruptions in cocoa production in West Africa caused by extreme weather and disease. These changes are not isolated; they affect global markets and everyday products.

Turning Data into Actionable Insights

AI can help make sense of the complexity. Treefera, for instance, combines satellite imagery, sensor data, and other datasets to provide insights on crop yields, supply risks, and climate impacts. Horn describes it like a car dashboard: “You don’t need to know every technical detail to understand what’s happening and act accordingly.”

The value of AI lies not in flashy algorithms but in its ability to translate raw data into practical decision-making tools. By analysing multiple signals from weather events to agricultural output, AI can highlight trends, flag potential disruptions, and support planning for traders, insurers, or supply chain managers. The goal is clarity and action, not simply more information.

Data, Regulation, and Responsible Use

Alongside operational complexity, organisations face questions about data governance. Emerging regulations such as the EU AI Act aim to ensure AI is used responsibly, and companies need to maintain control over proprietary information while leveraging technology effectively. Horn stresses the importance of frugal, transparent AI applications that produce meaningful insights without unnecessary complexity.

In practice, this means balancing innovation with compliance: using AI to understand risks, improve planning, and support sustainability without overstating its capabilities or creating new vulnerabilities. The conversation underlines a key point: the impact of AI is most tangible when it’s applied thoughtfully, in service of real-world decisions.

In short, AI is helping organisations navigate the increasingly unpredictable intersection of climate, risk, and supply chain complexity. The first mile, long a blind spot, is becoming visible not through hype or marketing claims, but through practical, data-driven insight that helps people respond to the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.

Takeaways

AI can significantly improve the management of supply chains.
Climate change is causing more extreme weather patterns, affecting agriculture.
Data sovereignty is crucial for companies to maintain control over their proprietary data.
AI native businesses leverage AI as a core component of their operations.
The EU AI Act aims to create a framework for responsible AI use.
AI can help simplify complex information into actionable insights.
Frugal AI usage can lead to more efficient operations.
The evolution of AI technologies includes advancements in large language models.
Understanding the risks associated with climate change is essential for supply chain management.
Companies must balance compliance with innovation in AI applications.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in Supply Chains

04:40 Navigating Climate Challenges with AI

09:40 AI-Native Business Models

13:57 The Evolution of AI Technologies

18:16 Understanding Data Sovereignty

21:54 Balancing AI Regulation and Innovation

25:48 Future of AI in Sustainability

About John Horn

Jonathan Horn is the founder of Treefera, an AI platform delivering accurate, auditable data to support carbon offsetting and nature-positive initiatives for landowners, investors, governments, NGOs, scientists, and marketplace participants. An innovative thinker and problem solver, he holds a PhD in Theoretical Fluid Dynamics and has extensive experience designing and implementing AI and data analytics solutions at scale. Jonathan has also applied data mesh principles to enable distributed, data-driven organisations, with a background in optimising banking operations through advanced data and AI systems.

AI in Sustainability: Frugal, Transparent, and Impactful Supply Chain Solutions