Quantum-Inspired AI: New Perspectives in Supply Chain and Logistics Optimisation

by Wolfgang Lehmacher, Advisory Board Member of The Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society, Global Supply Chain Expert, Partner at Anchor Group, and Advisor at Topan AG.

Quantum-inspired artificial intelligence (AI) transforms supply chain and logistics by enabling businesses to tackle complex optimisation problems quickly and accurately. Unlike experimental quantum computing, these algorithms leverage superposition and quantum annealing principles to design classical solutions for route optimisation, demand forecasting, and inventory management.

Constrained by fixed rules and siloed processes, classical systems often lack the agility to simulate disruption scenarios or enable rapid recovery decisions. Quantum-inspired AI addresses these limitations by evaluating millions of variables in parallel, reducing operational costs and enhancing resilience.

Optimising City Deliveries

IBM collaborated with a commercial vehicle manufacturer to optimise deliveries across 1,200 New York City locations. Traditional methods struggled with dynamic variables like 30-minute delivery windows and real-time traffic. By integrating quantum-inspired algorithms into a hybrid framework, the team simultaneously processed millions of potential routes, slashing operational costs and ensuring timely deliveries.

Reducing Food Waste

Toridoll Holdings partnered with Fujitsu to predict customer traffic using AI-driven analysis of sales data, weather patterns, and promotions. This quantum-inspired approach and solution optimised inventory levels and kitchen operations, reducing energy consumption by forecasting oven runtime and cutting food waste.

Revolutionising Last-Mile Delivery

Japan Post deployed Fujitsu’s Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimisation (QUBO) solver to reimagine Tokyo’s last-mile logistics. The system evaluated millions of delivery sequences, reducing operating times by about 30% and trimming the delivery fleet from 52 to 48 trucks.

Challenges and Future Outlook

While early adopters report cost reductions and improved delivery times, scaling quantum-inspired AI requires high-quality data, algorithmic refinement, and workforce upskilling. Smaller enterprises face barriers due to technical complexity, but industry-tech collaborations are narrowing this gap. As these solutions mature, their ability to harmonise cost, speed, and sustainability will redefine global supply chains, offering a competitive edge to proactive organisations.

About the Author

Wolfgang Lehmacher is an Advisory Board Member of The Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society, a global supply chain expert, a partner at Anchor Group, and an advisor at Topan AG. He is the former Director at the World Economic Forum and CEO Emeritus of GeoPost Intercontinental. Wolfgang also serves as an ambassador for F&L and as an advisor to GlobalSF and RISE. He contributes to the field of maritime informatics and is the co-editor of Maritime Decarbonization.