From the farm through to the final mile, fashion’s supply chains are getting smarter with the integration of data and technology.

As demands for transparency escalate, the industry is adapting. Startups and programs are measuring, tracking and disclosing detailed data about cotton’s field-level soil health. Meanwhile, technology firms are helping companies prep for the soon-to-be-required Digital Product Passports (DPPs) by consolidating the data that will need to be disclosed on systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP). Data connectivity is also empowering garment workers and providing insights into the movement of goods through the manufacturing process to meet reporting requirements.

Artificial intelligence is being integrated for copious tasks including but not limited to data analytics, picking merchandise in warehouses, orchestrating last-mile delivery, planning fabric cutting, customer service and product recommendations and discovery. Some solutions go so far as to position AI as an extra coworker.

However, outsourcing tasks to non-human helpers is not without risks. AI agents acting autonomously can make mistakes when placing orders, and there is currently a debate raging on who should pick up the responsibility for hallucinations or errant actions—the consumer or the merchant. AI’s growing presence in place of human shoppers is also set to challenge people-centric retailer tactics like online advertising, rendering them less effective. AI is providing a valuable toolset for more efficiency, but it is not yet ready to run completely on its own.

Download the report to learn more about:

• Which manufacturing processes are being reshaped by Industry 4.0
• How item-level connectivity is combatting shrinkage and counterfeiting
• The evolution of Material Exchange’s AI helper Frank
• How Levi Strauss & Co.’s conversational analytics gives more teams access to data insights
• AI’s impact on the shopper’s journey and consumer behavior
• Why and how technology adoption contributes to sustainable outcomes