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Illustration Photo: 3D Printed Car Interior (credits: Marc Palumbo / Flickr Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0))

New Technology still underused by businesses

Businesses need to step up the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, materials and processes if countries are to reap their full potential in terms of productivity gains, according to a new OECD report.

Development and implementation are taking place mostly in large firms, and even then new technologies are underemployed and could be contributing much more than is currently the case, it says.

‌The report highlights the potential effects of a wide range of technological developments in production - from the environmental impact of 3D printing, to autonomous digital systems and the latest advances in industrial biotechnology.

In today’s fast-moving global market, supply chain disruptions and inefficiencies can significantly impact business performance. To remain competitive and resilient, organizations need real-time visibility, predictive insights, and faster decision-making capabilities. This is where an Intelligent Control Tower plays a pivotal role, transforming traditional supply chain management into a dynamic and data-driven operation.

What Is an Intelligent Control Tower?

An Intelligent Control Tower is an advanced digital platform designed to provide end-to-end visibility across the entire supply chain. Unlike traditional control towers that focus mainly on monitoring, an intelligent version leverages artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and advanced analytics to predict potential disruptions and recommend corrective actions.

These platforms gather data from multiple sources, including suppliers, logistics partners, inventory systems, and external market signals, enabling organizations to make data-driven, proactive decisions.

Why Businesses Need an Intelligent Control Tower

Modern supply chains are complex, spanning multiple regions, vendors, and transportation networks. Without real-time visibility, businesses often face challenges such as delayed shipments, excess inventory, or missed demand signals. An Intelligent Control Tower addresses these challenges by:

Providing Real-Time Visibility: Continuous monitoring of all supply chain activities in one unified dashboard.

Predicting Disruptions: AI-driven analytics detect early signs of potential risks like supplier delays or transport disruptions.

Optimizing Operations: Advanced algorithms suggest the best response to challenges, minimizing cost and delay.

Improving Collaboration: Seamless integration with suppliers and logistics partners ensures better communication and coordination.

Key Benefits of an Intelligent Control Tower

Proactive Risk Management: By predicting issues before they occur, companies can mitigate risks effectively.

Faster Decision-Making: Access to real-time data enables quick responses to market changes or disruptions.

Enhanced Customer Experience: Timely and accurate order fulfillment improves customer satisfaction.

Cost Reduction: Optimized logistics and inventory management reduce operational costs significantly.

Sustainability Insights: Many intelligent solutions now track environmental impact, helping companies meet sustainability goals.

Industries Leveraging Intelligent Control Towers

Industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and consumer goods are increasingly adopting Intelligent Control Tower solutions. Retailers use them for managing demand fluctuations and ensuring timely deliveries. Manufacturers rely on them to manage supplier dependencies and production schedules. In healthcare, they improve the flow of critical medical supplies, ensuring uninterrupted patient care.

Choosing the Right Intelligent Control Tower Solution

Tenth substantive session of the Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025 on issues related to information security in the context of international security.

Agenda item 5: discussions on substantive issues contained in paragraph 1 of General Assembly resolution 75/240[1]

Continue to study, with a view to promoting common understandings, existing and potential threats in the sphere of information security, inter alia, data security, and possible cooperative measures to prevent and counter such threats

In 2020, the General Assembly through resolution 75/240, established a new five-year open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025.

The group is mandated to further develop the rules, norms and principles of responsible behaviour of States; to consider initiatives of States aimed at ensuring security in the use of information and communications technologies; to establish, under the auspices of the United Nations, regular institutional dialogue with the broad participation of States; to continue to study, with a view to promoting common understandings, existing and potential threats in the sphere of information security, inter alia, data security, and possible cooperative measures to prevent and counter such threats, and how international law applies to the use of information and communications technologies by States, as well as confidence-building measures and capacity-building.

Website

Agenda

Watch (2nd meeting) Open-ended working group on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) - Tenth Substantive Session (17-21 February 2025)

Tenth substantive session of the Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025 on issues related to information security in the context of international security.

Opening of the session

Opening statements

- Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs

- Chair of the open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025, Burhan Gafoor

Agenda item 3: organization of work

In 2020, the General Assembly through resolution 75/240, established a new five-year open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025.

The group is mandated to further develop the rules, norms and principles of responsible behaviour of States; to consider initiatives of States aimed at ensuring security in the use of information and communications technologies; to establish, under the auspices of the United Nations, regular institutional dialogue with the broad participation of States; to continue to study, with a view to promoting common understandings, existing and potential threats in the sphere of information security, inter alia, data security, and possible cooperative measures to prevent and counter such threats, and how international law applies to the use of information and communications technologies by States, as well as confidence-building measures and capacity-building.

Related Sites and Documents

Website Agenda

Watch (1st meeting) Open-ended working group on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) - Tenth Substantive Session (17-21 February 2025)!

The Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025 will convene for its eighth substantive session (8- 12 July 2024) to continue its work on issues related to information security in the context of international security.

Watch the (6th meeting) Open-ended working group on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) - Eighth Substantive Session (8-12 July 2024)!

In 2020, the General Assembly through resolution 75/240, established a new five-year open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021–2025.

The group is mandated to further develop the rules, norms and principles of responsible behaviour of States; to consider initiatives of States aimed at ensuring security in the use of information and communications technologies; to establish, under the auspices of the United Nations, regular institutional dialogue with the broad participation of States; to continue to study, with a view to promoting common understandings, existing and potential threats in the sphere of information security, inter alia, data security, and possible cooperative measures to prevent and counter such threats, and how international law applies to the use of information and communications technologies by States, as well as confidence-building measures and capacity-building.

Related Documents

Website Agenda

Watch the (5th meeting) Open-ended working group on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) - Eighth Substantive Session (8-12 July 2024).