Study finds AI adoption is outpacing business redesign

Lean Solutions Group and Everest Group say companies are adopting AI faster than they are redesigning workflows, based on a survey of more than 200 U.S.-focused leaders in supply chain-heavy industries. The findings suggest many firms are still treating AI as a tool upgrade, not an operating-model shift.

Why it matters: - The study points to a growing gap between AI deployment and the operational changes needed to turn AI into measurable business value. - That gap matters most in transportation, logistics and other supply chain-intensive industries, where workflow design, accountability and human judgment directly affect service and efficiency. - Lean Solutions Group says the findings reinforce its push to combine AI with embedded industry expertise and redesigned processes.

What happened: - Lean Solutions Group released new Everest Group research at the FreightWaves F3 event in Chattanooga, Tennessee, held Oct. 26-28. - The report, “Designing the Human + AI Enterprise: A Transformation Agenda for Supply Chain-Intensive Industries,” is based on a survey of more than 200 U.S.-focused senior decisionmakers in transportation, logistics and related industries. - The research found 69% of organizations have moved beyond isolated AI use cases. - Only 19% have significantly or extensively redesigned workflows to support collaboration between people and AI. - Just 15% report comparable redesign of workforce roles.

The details: - Lean Solutions Group says its Experts in the Loop model embeds experienced industry professionals alongside AI-enabled technology and redesigned workflows. - The model is intended to combine AI speed and scale with human judgment, oversight and accountability. - Jack Freker, CEO of Lean Solutions Group, said the central challenge is no longer putting AI into the business but changing how work gets done. - Freker said organizations that get the most from AI will combine experts in the loop, intelligent technology and redesigned processes to improve customer performance. - The study found decision-making is still primarily human-led at 72% of organizations. - Exception handling remains human-led at 60%. - Investment is uneven: 67% prioritize AI platforms and 66% prioritize data and integration. - By comparison, 33% prioritize workforce upskilling, and 17% each prioritize governance and change management. - Only 26% have formal structures for AI accountability. - Talent shortages affect 58% of logistics and transportation organizations, versus 35% in other surveyed industries. - Although 84% report or expect meaningful AI value within two years, 30% report returns below expectations and only 24% report returns above expectations. - The report argues that meaningful transformation requires changes to operational workflows, business-value measurement and workforce design. - It outlines a four-stage path: Rewire, Replicate, Orchestrate and Adapt. - The report includes a case study of MOD Delivery Services, a final-mile logistics provider. - MOD Delivery Services worked with Lean Solutions Group to standardize processes, improve data visibility and support automation while letting logistics professionals focus on exceptions, customer relationships and complex decisions. - The report is available for download as “Designing the Human + AI Enterprise.” - Lean Solutions Group also plans a webinar on the research for Dec. 8, 2026, at 12 p.m. EST. - The webinar is titled “Rethinking Enterprise Operations in the Age of Human + AI.” - More information is available on the company website. - Further details and research content are available on the research firm’s website. - Social updates were posted on LinkedIn.

Between the lines: - The report suggests many companies are funding AI tools before they have built the operating discipline needed to use them well. - The low rates of workflow redesign, workforce redesign and formal accountability point to a common pattern: AI pilots are advancing faster than management systems. - For supply chain-heavy businesses, that mismatch can limit ROI even when AI adoption looks strong on paper.

What’s next: - Survey respondents see transportation planning and execution as the top Human + AI opportunity over the next two to three years at 53%. - Workforce scheduling and labor management follow at 49%. - Supply chain planning and coordination rank next at 48%. - Lean Solutions Group says it will continue building on the research as part of a broader effort to help organizations translate AI investment into operational improvements.

The bottom line: - AI adoption is no longer the bottleneck. Workflow redesign, accountability and workforce change are.