Marcin Kęsy

The study investigates how AI agents influence operations management effectiveness in large multinational enterprises undergoing digital transformation and Industry 4.0 adoption. It examines the expanding contribution of AI to business process automation, supply chain coordination, demand prediction, logistics optimisation, and operational resilience. Employing a comparative multiple-case study approach, the research analyses evidence from Amazon, Walmart, Siemens, BMW, DHL, and Maersk between 2020 and 2025. Data were synthesised from corporate and sustainability reports, investor presentations, consultancy assessments, and peer-reviewed academic literature. The analysis demonstrates that AI agents deliver the greatest operational value in information-intensive environments requiring rapid decision-making and complex resource coordination, particularly in demand prediction, inventory optimisation, predictive maintenance, warehouse management, and end-to-end supply chain synchronisation. The investigation identifies three dominant AI deployment patterns: predictive operational intelligence, manufacturing monitoring systems, and autonomous quality assurance. The findings further indicate that successful AI-enabled operations depend not only on advanced technological capabilities but also on organisational digital maturity, high-quality data, effective governance mechanisms, workforce readiness, and well-structured human oversight. At the same time, organisations remain exposed to challenges arising from algorithmic errors, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, excessive automation, fragmented data ecosystems, and dependence on digital infrastructure. By developing a comparative analytical framework that evaluates AI integration across operational workflows, system autonomy, and organisational implementation readiness, the study provides a practical foundation for strengthening AI adoption strategies while supporting robust governance and operational risk management.