Recently, the concept of supply chains has become a familiar topic for many people, especially thanks to disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These events made us all more aware of how interconnected our global economy is.
Some experts, like Anand Nair, have been focused on supply chains for years. Nair, now a professor at Northeastern University, emphasizes that supply chains have always mattered. “These recent events just brought them into the spotlight,” he said.
As companies deal with suppliers worldwide, supply chain management has evolved. Businesses face changes in demand and unexpected hiccups that can disrupt production. Nair points out that organizations must adopt new tools to navigate these challenges. Technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are now essential. They help analyze large data sets, making operations smoother and more efficient.
“Technology helps us manage processes and supplies better,” Nair explains. “AI, in particular, has really taken off recently.”
This fall, Nair will be taking his expertise to Queen’s University in Canada as a Fulbright Scholar. He’ll work on a project focused on AI-enabled remote patient monitoring. He aims to develop a system that can predict patient risks right after hospital discharge, addressing a crucial aspect of healthcare today.
The shift toward AI in healthcare is transforming how patients receive care. Nair notes that the pandemic pushed many health providers to adopt these technologies, changing the landscape. Now, AI tools can help monitor patients’ health from home, pulling in vital data that can indicate potential issues before they escalate.
“The goal is to tailor healthcare to each patient’s needs,” he added. By using AI during remote monitoring, healthcare professionals can make better decisions even after a patient leaves the hospital.
Nair will publish research findings from this project, hoping to create a testable system that might later be used in more hospitals.
With his experience and deep understanding of supply chain dynamics, Nair expects to contribute significantly to personalizing healthcare solutions. He has returned to Northeastern after teaching at institutions like Michigan State University and the University of South Carolina.
This will be Nair’s second Fulbright appointment. Last time, he worked in Finland, and he feels there’s an urgent need for better healthcare solutions. He plans to return to Northeastern in spring 2027 to continue teaching.
The changes in supply chains and healthcare echo larger shifts in our society. Many people are now interested in how technology impacts our daily lives, especially in terms of health and well-being. With ongoing developments, it’s clear that the future of supply chains and healthcare will be closely interlinked.
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