The Buzz: AI Workflows, Workforce Shifts & the Fight Against Fraudulent Returns

from Supply Chain Now · host Supply Chain Now

Today on Supply Chain Now, we explore how supply chain leaders are balancing powerful new technologies with the human expertise required to make them work. Featuring insights from Jimmy Sebastian on FourKites’ AI platform Loft, and what it means for real-world operations. Welcome to The Buzz, powered by EasyPost!Hosts Scott Luton and Rick McDonald unpack the growing convergence of AI automation and workforce strategy across the supply chain landscape. From faster workflow deployment and operational agility to the evolving labor pipeline and the surge in returns fraud, this conversation highlights why success today depends on both smarter tools and stronger people strategies. The discussion emphasizes that digital transformation isn’t replacing humans, it’s redefining how organizations empower them.What you’ll learn by tuning in:How AI workflow platforms are accelerating implementation and operational responsivenessWhy human capability building is just as critical as technology investmentWhat Gen Z’s rising interest in skilled trades means for future workforce planningThe increasing business impact of fraudulent returns and how technology can help combat itPractical ways leaders can align automation with talent strategy to build resilienceIf you’re a supply chain, operations, or technology leader trying to scale automation without losing the human advantage, this episode offers timely perspective and actionable insight. Tune in to understand how to turn emerging tools and workforce trends into measurable business impact.Additional Links & Resources:EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-15-FEB-2026Never Normal Series: https://bit.ly/Never-Normal-Part3U.S. Bank Podcasts: supplychainnow.com/us-bank60% of Gen Zers will pursue skilled trade work this year: survey: https://bit.ly/Skilled-Trades-InterestStartup Pitches X-Rays and AI to Catch Fraudulent Returns: https://on.wsj.com/4tFwm5gValentine’s Day sticker shock: Chocolate prices are spiking: https://bit.ly/3Oh88OxChatGPT Is Just the Beginning For Shipping: https://bit.ly/Shipping-And-LLMs-WebinarIntroducing FourKites Loft: https://www.fourkites.com/blogs/fourkites-loft-ai-orchestration/FourKites: www.fourkites.comConnect with Jimmy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmysebastian1/Connect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickmcdonald82/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Embedded AI that senses, explains, and optimizes: https://bit.ly/4pOGgyoWEBINAR- ChatGPT Is Just the Beginning for Shipping: https://bit.ly/3YLFGq7This episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Rick McDonald and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-workflows-workforce-shifts-fight-against-fraudulent-returns-1548 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected]© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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This episode was published on February 20, 2026.

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