The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Supply Chain Optimisation in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This study investigates the use of artificial intelligence in enhancing manufacturing supply chains in the United Kingdom. The fundamental goal of the research is to investigate how artificial intelligence helps supply chain optimisation and to assess its implications on operational effectiveness, sustainability, and resilience in the manufacturing sector. A comprehensive literature review methodology was used to analyse and synthesise significant academic papers on artificial intelligence applications in industrial supply chains. A total of 20 studies were selected and reviewed using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings show that artificial intelligence plays an important role in improving manufacturing supply chain performance, particularly through increased operational effectiveness and datadriven decision-making. Machine learning approaches have been shown to provide advanced predictive skills such as demand forecasting and inventory management. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates that artificial intelligence adds to the sustainability and resilience of manufacturing supply chains, despite the fact that these features are under-emphasised in the existing literature. The study also identifies a lack of focus on the United Kingdom industrial context in existing literature, indicating a significant research gap. Overall, the findings contribute to a better understanding the involvement of artificial intelligence in manufacturing supply chains and highlight the need for more context-specific research in the UK.