Rethinking Supply Chain Planning: AI, Risk, and Sustainability with JF Gagné

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UPDATE: Since recording this episode JF has informed me he's no longer working with Pendulum.

AI is everywhere right now, but is it actually helping supply chain leaders make smarter, more sustainable decisions?

In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I’m joined by JF Gagné, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Pendulum, who’s spent over two decades building AI systems that do more than just spit out forecasts. JF shares how generative AI can integrate data across the enterprise to drive contextual, collaborative decisions - helping businesses manage risk, cut waste, and improve sustainability outcomes.

We dig into:

• Why traditional supply chain planning systems are too rigid for today’s volatile environment
• How AI can move from giving “perfect outputs” to helping teams reach consensus and make informed trade-offs
• Practical examples of using AI to reduce carbon emissions, track forced labour risk, and optimise inventory
• What most companies get wrong when implementing AI in supply chains
• Why continuous risk assessment, not just better forecasting, is key to agility and resilience

JF also offers a blunt reality check: the world we built our supply chains in no longer exists. If we keep treating today’s disruptions as isolated events, we’re planning for a past that’s not coming back.

Whether you’re piloting AI projects or just trying to get a handle on growing ESG requirements, this episode will help you think more critically about what real innovation in supply chains should look like.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to build a smarter, more sustainable supply chain.

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