The Operational Excellence Tools Series | #24: Aon’s Breakthrough in the AI-Powered OPEX Era

When Supply Chains Predict the Future

Welcome to the unique weekend article for the Loyal Fan subscribers-only edition.

This is the #24 article of The Operational Excellence Tools Series.

Outlines and Key Takeaways

Part 1 – Official Announcement

Part 2 – Background and Meaning

Part 3 – Analysis Through the Lens of Operational Excellence

Part 4 – Lessons for Businesses

Part 5 – Conclusion

Part 1: Announcement and Phenomenon – When the Supply Chain Learns to Predict the Future

On October 23, 2025, global risk advisory firm Aon plc officially announced the launch of its AI-powered Supply Chain Risk Platform—a solution designed to help businesses anticipate operational risks early and minimize impact before disruptions occur.

According to Aon’s press release, the system analyzes over 80,000 data sources across 200 countries, including weather, political, transportation, financial, and industrial supply chain data.

Its goal is to create a real-time operational risk map, enabling companies to detect potential weak links before they escalate into full-blown crises.

This launch comes at a time when global supply chains are becoming increasingly complex and fragile.

The Aon Global Risk Management Survey 2025 ranks “Supply Chain or Distribution Failure” among the Top 10 global risks, up three positions from 2023.

More than 67% of surveyed companies reported experiencing major supply chain disruptions in the past 24 months—and over half admitted they lacked effective early-warning systems.

Greg Case, CEO of Aon, emphasized:

“We don’t just want to help businesses react when a crisis occurs. We want them to see risk before it even forms.

AI enables us to turn chaotic data into predictive capability—that’s the future of operational management.”

This event marks a turning point in how global enterprises approach Operational Excellence (OPEX).

Previously, OPEX focused on internal process optimization; now, its emphasis has shifted toward prediction and proactive recovery—where AI becomes the “sixth sense” of enterprise operations.

Aon’s new platform is not limited to manufacturing or logistics giants—it also targets small and medium-sized businesses navigating complex, multi-tiered supply networks.

Instead of “waiting for risks to happen and reacting,” the system allows organizations to simulate, forecast, and prepare, reflecting the modern OPEX mindset of Datafication – Prediction – Action.

Amid global volatility—from energy uncertainty and geopolitical tension to cyberattacks—Aon’s investment sends a clear message:

“The future of operations lies not in how fast we react, but in how accurately we predict.”