MIT Supply Chain Frontiers

Freight companies face increasing pressure to adopt AI, but which technology is actually working on the road? This episode examines critical findings from ground-level freight operations, revealing why Excel remains the dominant tool despite digital transformation efforts, and why data quality, not AI sophistication, remains the biggest bottleneck constraining freight efficiency. Joining tech journalist Jason Del Rey are Dr. Angi Acocella, Research Scientist in the FreightLab at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, and David Gal, Vice President of Product and Engineering for Connected Equipment at Samsara, on a panel held at Samsara Beyond 2026 in Las Vegas.

The conversation explores practical solutions shaping the freight industry today, including Bluetooth-enabled tracking labels for high-value shipments and how AI-powered geofencing is improving driver safety without replacing human oversight. From dynamic pricing mechanisms to how forward-thinking carriers are using AI agents to augment driver performance, this episode reveals what freight leaders should actually be investing in and where to be cautious.

Warehouse automation is often evaluated through an operational lens in terms of productivity gains, labor efficiency, and accuracy improvements. Yet the environmental impact of technologies like drone-based inventory systems remains poorly understood. In this episode, we explore how a capstone project conducted with Verity, a warehouse automation company, and graduate students in the MIT Supply Chain Management (SCM) program quantified the real sustainability benefits of replacing manual forklift-based inventory counting with drones.

Joining the discussion are Tommaso Portaluri, Sustainability Lead at Verity; Camilo Mora, Postdoctoral Associate at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL); and Elisa Ruiz, an MIT SCM alum who worked on the project. Together, they reveal a surprising finding: inventory write-offs and waste reduction account for nearly 40% of post-implementation emissions savings, far outweighing energy savings alone. Through their analysis, they demonstrate how information quality and operational efficiency are intertwined levers for decarbonization, and why inventory management deserves a place at the center of warehouse sustainability strategies. You can read the full findings of the capstone project here and learn more about MIT SCM capstone projects here.

AI is “not optional anymore” in large-scale warehouses and omnichannel operations, as it’s becoming foundational to how they function at scale. In this episode, we explore key findings from the State of AI in Warehousing Report and the 2026 State of Omnichannel Supply Chain Report, examining how companies are moving beyond pilots to real-world deployment. From inventory optimization and automated picking to real-time decision-making, AI is transforming operations as pressure grows for faster, more precise, and more flexible fulfillment.

Joining the discussion are Dr. Matthias Winkenbach, Director of the MIT Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab, Dr. Eva Ponce, Director of the MIT Omnichannel Supply Chain Lab, and Alejandro Gonzalez, Software Business Unit Director at Mecalux. They break down what’s driving widespread AI adoption, where companies are seeing the fastest return on investment, and how omnichannel growth is increasing complexity across supply chains. The conversation also explores the rise of autonomous mobile robots, shifting workforce roles, and what’s next, from generative AI to agentic systems capable of real-time decision-making.

As climate-related disruptions and regulatory pressures intensify, corporate sustainability is a core strategic necessity for all operations of global firms. In this episode, we discuss how companies are navigating the complex transition toward decarbonization while upholding efficiency and affordability.

Joining the discussion are Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan and Tori Arnold from the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab, alongside Rachel Schwalbach, Vice President of ESG at C.H. Robinson, and Brittany Brama, Sustainability Director at C.H. Robinson. From the complexities of Scope 3 data collection to the practical implementation of alternative fuels and "book and claim" models, they examine how their collaboration between academia and industry is turning sustainability research into measurable impact.

Artificial Intelligence is frequently hailed as a transformative force for global supply chains, yet the gap between technological promise and operational reality remains a central challenge for industry leaders. In this episode, host Dr. Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at MIT CTL, leads a nuanced discussion on the transition from AI hype to the implementation of functional "decision technology."

Joining the discussion are three researchers from MIT CTL who bring diverse perspectives to the AI landscape. Willem Guter of the MIT Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab unpacks the intersection of machine learning and traditional optimization in warehouse robotics, while Dr. Elenna Dugundji, director of the MIT Deep Knowledge for Supply Chain and Logistics Lab, explains the evolution of demand forecasting and the importance of "deep knowledge" in predictive modeling. Dr. Bryan Reimer, founder of the MIT AgeLab’s Advanced Vehicle Technology Consortium, rounds out the discussion by addressing the critical human factor in autonomous systems. Together, they examine the future of AI in sourcing and procurement, the complexities of human-AI interaction, and the necessity of building decision-support tools that are grounded in real-world application rather than speculative promise.

Global food systems produce more than enough to feed the world—yet nearly one-third of all food is lost or wasted. Much of that loss happens far upstream, driven by perishability, cold chain failures, infrastructure gaps, climate pressures, and supply chain inefficiencies that span continents.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Mejía, founder and director of the MIT Emerging Market Economies Logistics Lab, along with Drs. David Hidalgo and Mauricio Gámez, researchers who model solutions for supply chain issues. They unpack why food supply chains are uniquely vulnerable to disruption, especially in emerging markets, and where the biggest opportunities exist to reduce loss. From circular economy models and food recovery strategies to AI-driven forecasting, optimization, and community-based distribution networks, the conversation explores how better logistics, smarter data, and cross-sector collaboration can help redesign food supply chains that are more resilient, sustainable, and equitable.

Rising geopolitical tensions and global trade volatility have revealed a key power struggle: supply chains are a matter of national security. This year’s annual report from the congressional U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission warns that China has begun weaponizing key supply chain chokepoints, from critical minerals to foundational semiconductors, creating risks that reach far beyond trade.

In this episode, we’re joined by Livia Shmavonian and Josh Hodges, two commissioners of the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, along with Professor Yossi Sheffi, Director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics. They discuss key findings from this year’s report: why companies have been slow to recognize the strategic nature of their dependence on China, how subsidies and overcapacity distort global competition, and why innovation remains the United States’ greatest advantage. From U.S. manufacturing limitations to critical mineral processing to market access in China, the conversation explores what’s at stake, what must change, and how companies and policymakers can prepare for a future where supply chain strategy is inseparable from national security.

You can read the full report here. 

As global supply chains face new waves of political uncertainty, regulatory change, and economic pressure, one thing remains clear: sustainability still matters. The latest State of Supply Chain Sustainability Report from the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab reveals that despite federal environmental rollbacks and shifting investor priorities, companies continue to see sustainability as central to long-term success.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Josué Velázquez Martínez, director of the lab, and Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan, a research scientist in the lab. They unpack key findings from this year’s survey—why 80% of firms say sustainability is vital to their future, where companies stand in tracking Scope 3 emissions, and which energy sources could redefine sustainable freight transportation. From biofuels and hydrogen to the data behind carbon accounting, the conversation explores what’s driving progress and why collaboration may be the most necessary sustainability strategy of all.

Emerging markets play an essential role in global supply chains, providing much of the food, raw materials, and labor that keep the world running. But they also face unique challenges: fragmented systems, limited infrastructure, and volatile economies. At the same time, these regions hold immense potential for innovation, resilience, and growth if their logistics systems can adapt to meet rising pressures from climate change, geopolitical shocks, and shifting consumer demands.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Mejía, Founder and Director of the MIT Emerging Market Economies Logistics Lab (EMeL), along with Research Affiliates Dr. Edgar Gutierrez and Isabel Agudelo. They discuss the launch of this new lab at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, its mission to strengthen supply chains across the Global South, and the human decisions that ultimately shape logistics outcomes. From the fate of mangoes in Ghana to cobalt in the Congo, the conversation reveals why emerging markets matter to everyone—and how building trust may be the biggest logistics challenge of all.

Self-driving cars have been heralded by many as the future of transportation—promising safer roads, reduced traffic, and greater mobility for all. Yet despite rapid advancements in technology and a surge in assistive driving features, acceptance of full vehicle automation remains elusive. As the public grapples with questions of trust, safety, and responsibility, the road to widespread adoption of automated vehicles is anything but straightforward. The stakes are high: how we navigate this transition could redefine the way we move for generations to come. So, how far are we from acceptance, adoption, and implementation? 

In this episode, we’re joined by the co-directors of the Advanced Vehicle Technology (AVT) Consortium, hosted within the MIT AgeLab at the MIT Center or Transportation & Logistics: Dr. Bryan Reimer, Dr. Pnina Gershon, and Dr. Bruce Mehler. They explore key insights from their recent research, the role of data in shaping safer and smarter mobility solutions, and how the consortium is addressing critical questions around driver behavior, automation readiness, and industry collaboration as they celebrate their 10th anniversary year.