Redefining the Supply Chain Using Confluence of Artificial Intelligence and Additive Manufacturing
Ashwani K. Dhingra, Sunita Dhingra, Aryender Singh, Manu Rathee, Himanshu Kaushik, Ashish Kaushik, Deepak Chhabra
Abstract
The traditional, linear constructs of supply chain management, honed over centuries of industrialization, are proving increasingly brittle in the face of unprecedented global volatility and consumer demands for customization. This paper speculates that the combined forces of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Additive Manufacturing (AM) are not merely optimizing existing logistics but fundamentally redefining the very architecture of supply chains. Drawing upon insights from mechanical engineering principles of localized production and material science, alongside logical theories of agility and demand responsiveness, proposed work elucidates how predictive power of artificial intelligence. The autonomous capabilities of artificial intelligence, when harmonized with transformative potential of additive manufacturing, forge supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, and customizable. This paper critically examines the current state of this emergent synergy, identifies key breakthroughs and persistent impediments, and offers a prospective glance into the future research avenues that promise to unlock the full potential of this ground breaking convergence.