Analysts and Planners in the Age of AI: Obsolete or Essential?

Anush Chandra Mohan
Jun 9
5 min read

Introduction: My Journey from Supply Chain Analyst to AI Enthusiast

Just a few years ago, I proudly wore the hat of a supply chain analyst and demand planner. The role felt crucial and prestigious—gathering complex data, performing meticulous forecasts, and carefully balancing supply and demand. Analysts and planners were respected for their insights, judgment, and meticulous attention to detail.

Fast forward to today, and it feels like the landscape has dramatically shifted beneath our feet. The question I often ponder now is: Are roles like mine still essential in an era where AI is swiftly transforming every aspect of data analysis and decision-making?

The AI Revolution: Automating the Pipeline

When I started in supply chain analytics, data management was heavily manual. Days were filled with cleaning, validating, and interpreting data points. Now, automated data pipelines and robust AI systems have streamlined these processes. Data comes neatly labelled, predictive models run in the cloud, and machine learning algorithms effortlessly detect patterns, forecast trends, and even prescribe actions.

Today, the capabilities of AI are astonishing:

Real-time forecasting with far greater accuracy than manual models.
Predictive insights that flag supply chain disruptions long before they become issues.
Automated decision-making, driven by vast datasets and powerful algorithms.

Given this profound shift, it's natural to question the relevance of traditional analyst and planner roles.

Where AI Clearly Dominates

Let’s be clear: AI performs some analytical tasks far better than humans ever could. Consider these examples:

Demand Forecasting: AI thrives on historical sales data, seasonal trends, and external factors. Machine learning algorithms can easily process millions of data points to accurately predict future demand.
Inventory Optimization: AI can manage thousands of SKUs, automatically optimizing inventory levels, reducing waste, and maximizing availability with minimal human oversight.
Anomaly Detection: Automated systems swiftly detect unusual patterns, flagging potential issues in real-time—far faster than manual checks.

From a strictly technical standpoint, AI-driven analytics surpass traditional human analysis on virtually every front.

But Where Humans Still Shine

Despite AI’s impressive capabilities, my experience has taught me one critical truth: human intuition, interpretation, and strategic understanding remain irreplaceable.

Early in my career, a data anomaly might have triggered a panic—today, AI easily identifies such anomalies. But the real value lies not in identifying the anomaly itself but interpreting its implications. Humans excel at interpreting context, anticipating market reactions, and understanding nuanced customer behaviours that AI often overlooks.

For example, when an unexpected event occurs—a global crisis, sudden consumer trend shift, or regulatory change—AI models trained on historical data might falter. Human analysts, however, can swiftly adjust assumptions, provide context, and recalibrate strategies with empathy and nuanced judgment.

Analysts as Strategic Advisors

So, where does this leave analysts? Far from obsolete, the analyst’s role is evolving into one that AI alone cannot fulfil. Analysts of tomorrow will:

Act as strategic interpreters, translating complex AI-driven insights into actionable strategies.
Be responsible for ensuring AI models align with real-world business goals, ethical guidelines, and corporate governance.
Provide a human "sanity check"—ensuring decisions remain grounded, ethical, and aligned with broader business objectives.

In this future, analysts transition from mere "number crunchers" to critical advisors and strategic partners in decision-making.

Planners: From Forecasters to Exception Managers

Demand and supply planners face a similar evolution. Gone are the days when planners manually adjusted every SKU forecast. Today’s AI-driven forecasts are typically accurate enough for the bulk of planning activities. However, planners still play a crucial role in managing exceptions, uncertainty, and strategic alignment.

In my past role, exceptions—like supplier disruptions, unexpected demand spikes, or logistics bottlenecks—were the norm rather than the exception. Human planners thrive here, leveraging deep business understanding, relationships, and creative problem-solving skills.

Planners of the future will:

Manage by exception, intervening where AI models show uncertainty or unexpected variability.
Align operational decisions with overarching strategic objectives, interpreting AI-driven scenarios within a broader business context.
Collaborate across departments to ensure cohesive execution of AI-driven strategies.

Rather than becoming obsolete, planners shift to roles that are more strategic, influential, and collaborative.

Essential Skills for the AI-Augmented Professional

As roles evolve, the skills required for analysts and planners shift dramatically.

Here’s what I believe will become critical for success:

Strategic Storytelling: Analysts must communicate complex insights clearly and persuasively, translating AI-generated data into strategic narratives executives can act upon.
Ethical Judgement & Governance: Professionals will increasingly ensure AI solutions align ethically, protect privacy, and mitigate bias.
Adaptive Planning & Agility: Planners must quickly adapt to rapidly changing scenarios and unexpected disruptions, showcasing resilience and creativity.
Continuous Learning & Curiosity: Professionals must remain endlessly curious, staying updated on evolving AI capabilities and identifying opportunities to leverage them strategically.
Collaborative Leadership: As insights become decentralized, cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills become crucial for influencing decisions and driving cohesive outcomes.

Real-World Examples: AI and Human Collaboration

Consider leading companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Tesla. These companies deeply integrate AI into their analytics and supply chain processes but remain heavily reliant on skilled human professionals for strategic interpretation and oversight:

Amazon uses advanced AI for inventory management yet still relies heavily on human oversight for strategic inventory decisions during events like Black Friday.
Walmart combines AI-driven forecasting with human judgment to manage localized assortment and inventory decisions, balancing efficiency with cultural sensitivity and customer preferences.
Tesla leverages predictive analytics extensively in its supply chain but requires planners to handle complex strategic negotiations and relationship management with suppliers.

Personal Reflection: Navigating This Shift

Reflecting on my own professional journey, I can confidently say that if I were still in my original supply chain analyst or planner role, my day-to-day responsibilities would look radically different today. The monotony of repetitive tasks has been largely automated, allowing room for greater strategic thinking, creativity, and collaborative decision-making.

However, I also recognize the anxiety that comes with such dramatic changes. The fear of obsolescence is real—but so is the opportunity. Embracing AI doesn’t diminish our roles; it amplifies our capabilities and value.

Humans and AI, Stronger Together

To all my peers and professionals feeling uncertainty about the future, here's what I believe wholeheartedly: AI isn't replacing us—it’s empowering us. Our roles are becoming more critical, strategic, and engaging. We’re moving beyond spreadsheets and routine analysis towards meaningful collaboration, impactful storytelling, and strategic influence.

The era of analysts and planners isn't ending; rather, it’s entering an exciting new chapter. Let’s embrace it fully, focusing on skills that AI cannot replicate, enhancing our roles to become indispensable strategic partners in an AI-augmented future.

Your Turn: Preparing for Tomorrow

I encourage you to reflect: What skills are you building today to remain essential tomorrow? How can you shift your mindset to see AI as an ally rather than a threat?

The future belongs to those ready to adapt, learn, and grow alongside AI.

Here's to thriving in the era of human-AI collaboration.