This kickoff to our BANI mini‑series unpacks how brittle, anxious, non‑linear and incomprehensible dynamics are reshaping pharma supply chains.

We discuss real‑world brittleness: a 7.4‑magnitude earthquake in Japan that halted chip production and ground Detroit’s auto assembly, and a software update that locked up millions of computers and grounded.

We examine how U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports have pushed logistics costs up 10–15 % for 60 % of companies and how Houthi attacks have closed the Red Sea shipping route, forcing vessels to detour around the Cape of Good Hope, adding up to 12 days and roughly US $1 million per voyage.

We also highlight China’s dominance in pharma ingredients, producing more than 80 % of API, and why geopolitical instability tops risk forecasts for 2026.

In this episode, I reflect on the growing trend of AI being used to cut jobs, often without a clear plan for reskilling or redeployment.

Triggered by a recent New York Times article mentioning layoffs at companies like Microsoft and Recruit Holdings,

I question whether we’re losing the human in the process.

AI isn’t the problem. It’s how we choose to implement it that matters.

Here is the link to my whitepaper on this topic:

The Social Impact of AI: Rethinking Corporate Responsibility in the Age of Intelligent Transformation | LinkedIn

In this episode I am summarizing my experience at the CPhI 2024 in Milan, Italy.

Find out what I found out in the city of fashion, art, food and now also Pharma.

Enjoy!