Preparing for the future: Investigating the skills needed for the artificial intelligence era

Remove the line breaks "Artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative force in modern operations and supply chain management (OSCM), characterized by the integration of big data analytics and machine learning algorithms, to give rise to advanced and autonomous systems. This technology aims to enhance operational efficiency, improve adaptability, and create new value propositions. The successful implementation of AI in OSCM relies heavily on a qualified and well-trained workforce. However, despite growing research efforts, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the specific skills and competencies needed to fully leverage AI's potential and how these skills can be effectively developed. This paper aims to address this gap by identifying and exploring the capabilities and expertise required to excel in AI-driven OSCM. The first step will involve conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) to comprehensively understand the current knowledge on the subject. Then, expert interviews will be conducted to gather realworld insights from diverse industrial sectors and contexts. The findings from the SLR and interviews will inform the development of a list of assumptions, which will then be evaluated through a Delphi study. The outcomes of this research will contribute to the literature on AI workforce readiness and provide actionable insights for stakeholders. For practitioners, the results will offer strategies to identify and address skill gaps. For educators, the findings will guide the design of university curricula that meet current and future skill demands. Policymakers will benefit from recommendations on directing public initiatives and incentives to support workforce development in the AI era." Here's the text with line breaks removed: "Artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative force in modern operations and supply chain management (OSCM), characterized by the integration of big data analytics and machine learning algorithms, to give rise to advanced and autonomous systems. This technology aims to enhance operational efficiency, improve adaptability, and create new value propositions. The successful implementation of AI in OSCM relies heavily on a qualified and well-trained workforce. However, despite growing research efforts, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the specific skills and competencies needed to fully leverage AI's potential and how these skills can be effectively developed. This paper aims to address this gap by identifying and exploring the capabilities and expertise required to excel in AI-driven OSCM. The first step will involve conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) to comprehensively understand the current knowledge on the subject. Then, expert interviews will be conducted to gather real-world insights from diverse industrial sectors and contexts. The findings from the SLR and interviews will inform the development of a list of assumptions, which will then be evaluated through a Delphi study. The outcomes of this research will contribute to the literature on AI workforce readiness and provide actionable insights for stakeholders. For practitioners, the results will offer strategies to identify and address skill gaps. For educators, the findings will guide the design of university curricula that meet current and future skill demands. Policymakers will benefit from recommendations on directing public initiatives and incentives to support workforce development in the AI era.