Chocolate Prices and Supply Risk

Today on Supply Chain Now, we explore how supply chain leaders are balancing powerful new technologies with the human expertise required to make them work. Featuring insights from Jimmy Sebastian on FourKites’ AI platform Loft, and what it means for real-world operations. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EasyPost!

Hosts Scott Luton and Rick McDonald unpack the growing convergence of AI automation and workforce strategy across the supply chain landscape. From faster workflow deployment and operational agility to the evolving labor pipeline and the surge in returns fraud, this conversation highlights why success today depends on both smarter tools and stronger people strategies. The discussion emphasizes that digital transformation isn’t replacing humans, it’s redefining how organizations empower them.

What you’ll learn by tuning in:

1. How AI workflow platforms are accelerating implementation and operational responsiveness
2. Why human capability building is just as critical as technology investment
3. What Gen Z’s rising interest in skilled trades means for future workforce planning
4. The increasing business impact of fraudulent returns and how technology can help combat it
5. Practical ways leaders can align automation with talent strategy to build resilience

If you’re a supply chain, operations, or technology leader trying to scale automation without losing the human advantage, this episode offers timely perspective and actionable insight. Tune in to understand how to turn emerging tools and workforce trends into measurable business impact.

Additional Links & Resources:

1. EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/
2. With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-15-FEB-2026
3. Never Normal Series: https://bit.ly/Never-Normal-Part3
4. U.S. Bank Podcasts: supplychainnow.com/us-bank
5. 60% of Gen Zers will pursue skilled trade work this year: survey: https://bit.ly/Skilled-Trades-Interest
6. Startup Pitches X-Rays and AI to Catch Fraudulent Returns: https://on.wsj.com/4tFwm5g
7. Valentine’s Day sticker shock: Chocolate prices are spiking: https://bit.ly/3Oh88Ox
8. ChatGPT Is Just the Beginning For Shipping: https://bit.ly/Shipping-And-LLMs-Webinar
9. Introducing FourKites Loft: https://www.fourkites.com/blogs/fourkites-loft-ai-orchestration/
10. FourKites: www.fourkites.com
11. Connect with Jimmy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmysebastian1/
12. Connect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickmcdonald82/
13. Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/
14. Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
15. Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
16. Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
17. Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
18. WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Embedded AI that senses, explains, and optimizes: https://bit.ly/4pOGgyo
19. WEBINAR- ChatGPT Is Just the Beginning for Shipping: https://bit.ly/3YLFGq7

This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Rick McDonald and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-workflows-workforce-shifts-fight-against-fraudulent-returns-1548