About this episode
In this episode of The Digital Executive , host Brian Thomas welcomes Piet Buyck , global technology executive, AI strategist, and author of AI Compass for SC Leaders . With more than 30 years leading innovative IT solutions, Piet is on a mission to make AI-driven planning easy, accessible, and human-centered. Piet introduces the concept of the AI Compass —a framework that blends generative, agentic, and narrow AI to guide leaders through the complexities of modern supply chain planning. Instead of treating AI as just another tool, the compass helps organizations navigate uncertainty, break down functional silos, and move toward a more adaptive, holistic decision-making model. He emphasizes that AI should never replace humans , but instead amplify their judgment. Piet explains how to operationalize a “human + AI” decision model using a balance of accuracy, transparency, and fairness—determining what to automate, what to supervise, and what must remain human-led. The conversation explores why supply chain planning has remained stubbornly manual despite decades of technological progress. Piet outlines entrenched habits—rigid processes, siloed KPIs, and opaque numbers—that prevent companies from becoming AI-first. He shows how organizations can shift toward a more dynamic, assumption-driven, data-aware planning culture. Looking ahead, Piet describes the cultural transformation required for supply chain teams to thrive in an AI-augmented world: embracing continuous learning, developing data literacy, unlearning outdated practices, and building confidence to collaborate with AI systems rather than fear them. With the right mindset and governance, he believes companies can unlock massive value—far beyond traditional planning improvements. A must-listen for supply chain leaders, innovators, and anyone navigating the intersection of AI and organizational transformation. If you liked what you heard today, please leave us a review - Apple or Spotify . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .