As climate-related disruptions and regulatory pressures intensify, corporate sustainability is a core strategic necessity for all operations of global firms. In this episode, we discuss how companies are navigating the complex transition toward decarbonization while upholding efficiency and affordability.

Joining the discussion are Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan and Tori Arnold from the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab, alongside Rachel Schwalbach, Vice President of ESG at C.H. Robinson, and Brittany Brama, Sustainability Director at C.H. Robinson. From the complexities of Scope 3 data collection to the practical implementation of alternative fuels and "book and claim" models, they examine how their collaboration between academia and industry is turning sustainability research into measurable impact.

Artificial Intelligence is frequently hailed as a transformative force for global supply chains, yet the gap between technological promise and operational reality remains a central challenge for industry leaders. In this episode, host Dr. Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at MIT CTL, leads a nuanced discussion on the transition from AI hype to the implementation of functional "decision technology."

Joining the discussion are three researchers from MIT CTL who bring diverse perspectives to the AI landscape. Willem Guter of the MIT Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab unpacks the intersection of machine learning and traditional optimization in warehouse robotics, while Dr. Elenna Dugundji, director of the MIT Deep Knowledge for Supply Chain and Logistics Lab, explains the evolution of demand forecasting and the importance of "deep knowledge" in predictive modeling. Dr. Bryan Reimer, founder of the MIT AgeLab’s Advanced Vehicle Technology Consortium, rounds out the discussion by addressing the critical human factor in autonomous systems. Together, they examine the future of AI in sourcing and procurement, the complexities of human-AI interaction, and the necessity of building decision-support tools that are grounded in real-world application rather than speculative promise.

Global food systems produce more than enough to feed the world—yet nearly one-third of all food is lost or wasted. Much of that loss happens far upstream, driven by perishability, cold chain failures, infrastructure gaps, climate pressures, and supply chain inefficiencies that span continents.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Mejía, founder and director of the MIT Emerging Market Economies Logistics Lab, along with Drs. David Hidalgo and Mauricio Gámez, researchers who model solutions for supply chain issues. They unpack why food supply chains are uniquely vulnerable to disruption, especially in emerging markets, and where the biggest opportunities exist to reduce loss. From circular economy models and food recovery strategies to AI-driven forecasting, optimization, and community-based distribution networks, the conversation explores how better logistics, smarter data, and cross-sector collaboration can help redesign food supply chains that are more resilient, sustainable, and equitable.