During my time at MIT, I had the privilege of attending lectures by Jay W. Forrester, the founder of system dynamics. Forrester was a pioneer in modeling complex systems in economics, business, and technology. He was one of the first to recognize how technology could enhance decision-making and planning, yet he always emphasized one critical point: no matter how advanced technology becomes, human insight remains essential in managing real-world complexity.
Forrester often spoke about the pitfalls of intuitive decision-making in business. He showed how, as humans, we often struggle with delays and predicting outcomes. Nevertheless, he strongly believed in the strategic power of human knowledge combined with technology. It’s this blend of data, models, and contextual insight that enables us to make intelligent, strategic decisions.
Technological progress is undeniably impressive, and digital systems can automate and optimize more and more processes. However, despite these breakthroughs, they still struggle to handle the full complexity and unforeseen disruptions of day-to-day reality—especially in times of crisis when quick, adaptive decisions are needed. Technology can analyze data, but humans are needed to interpret it and place it within the broader business context.
I dare to say that, with all the AI and technology coming our way, the human component will only grow in importance in the coming years.
On October 14, we will host our Digital Planning event, where we will dive into the technologies I consider crucial, such as DataGraph, AI augmentation, and in-house AI solutions. But most importantly, we will focus on the human role within these developments. From my personal journey alongside industry experts, Big Tech companies, and universities, I’ve worked to gain a clearer understanding of what lies ahead.
Are you curious about how you, as a supply chain expert, can leverage these insights? Join us and discover how the combination of technology and human expertise can elevate your strategy to the next level.