If 2025 was the year we all dipped our toes into the AI pool, 2026 is the year we dive into the deep end. The “wait and see” period for emerging technologies has officially closed its doors. Supply chains are no longer just the folks in the back office keeping the lights on. Today, they are strategic engines that determine whether a company thrives or simply survives global volatility.
We are witnessing the rise of antifragile supply chains. Gartner defines an antifragile supply chain as one that does not merely resist or recover from disruptions, but actually improves and gains value from exposure to uncertainty . To lead in this new era, I believe we have to move past the old “efficiency” playbook and embrace five critical mandates.
1. From AI assistants to agentic orchestrators
In 2025, we treated AI like a helpful copilot. In 2026, AI graduated to an agentic orchestrator. True orchestration requires de-siloing internal systems and external data exchange to bridge the gap between partners. Modern AI agents now scan and verify transactions across the network. Orchestration allows them to cross-reference systems, complete the three-way-match, and if they flag an issue, the system can return the transaction to the trading partner for correction automatically. This shift moves us from simple content generation to task execution. It keeps humans in the loop for high-stakes decisions while allowing the business to manage by exception.
2. Cognitive digital twins: Predictive, not just descriptive
Digital twins grew up. We moved past static 3D models into cognitive digital twins. These are living, networked ecosystems that ingest real-time external signals like weather patterns and port congestion to predict disruptions before they even happen. By synchronizing inventory and order status across the entire supply web, businesses can transition from basic real-time visibility to predictive orchestration. This holistic view via command center enables scenario planning at scale so you can test your “Plan B” before “Plan A” even thinks about failing.
3. Sustainability: The era of the digital product passport
Compliance is no longer just a checkbox on a slide deck. It is your license to operate. With the full implementation of the EU’s ESPR and tighter Scope 3 requirements, traceability became the ultimate competitive currency. The focus now rests on the circular economy and the digital product passport. This passport provides a verifiable “birth to rebirth” record of every component. This strategy turns sustainability data into a business advantage and a new revenue stream rather than a regulatory burden.
4. Logistics sovereignty and antifragile networks
The fragmentation of global trade forced a shift from “just in time” to sovereign supply chains. Geopolitical tensions and regionalization mean your logistics must be multilocal. We see a massive trend toward bringing production back to friendly or home regions. Supply chain traceability solutions help companies make smarter logistics decisions with confidence, ensuring their network stays resilient and adapts quickly when trade lanes shift overnight.
5. Talent: The rise of the augmented professional
The old fear that AI will replace humans has been replaced by a capability gap reality. In 2026, the most valuable professionals are augmented professionals. Their value lies in AI governance, data fluency, and high-level strategic oversight. Automation takes over the drudge work of data entry and routine scheduling. This frees up your human talent with AI to focus on relationship management and complex problem solving. This human-centric automation enhances decision-making rather than overriding it, which unlocks the full potential of your workforce.
Are you ready for 2026?
These mandates aren’t optional trends: they are the new rules of the road. To thrive, companies must move from reactive planning to autonomous orchestration. With OpenText Business Network, you have the digital backbone to de-silo your data, deploy intelligent agents, and build a supply chain that grows stronger with every challenge.
Learn how OpenText is delivering the technologies that will revolutionize supply chain collaboration and visibility in 2026 and beyond.
