How To Get Started with AI in Operations (ft. CEO of Metalinked)

AI is quickly transforming how manufacturing and supply chain work, but before businesses jump on the AI bandwagon, one question remains: where can it actually help your operations?

Description Key takeaways

About this episode

In this episode, we sit down with Rehaan Bicha, the founder and CEO of Metalinked, to explore how businesses can approach AI in operations without getting caught up in the hype.

Rehaan shares insights from his hands-on experience building AI products for manufacturing and supply chain, including where businesses have the biggest data gaps, how to identify workflows worth automating, and where human judgment still matters.

We also get into one of the biggest trends in AI right now: vibe coding. While AI can make it easier than ever to build your own tools, Rehaan explains why operational software needs more than just a working prototype, especially when security, reliability, and business-critical data are involved.

Whether you're just starting to explore AI or already experimenting with it, this episode offers a practical look at where AI can fit into your operations and what to consider before handing important workflows over to it.

Resources

Explore Metalinked Follow Rehaan Bicha on LinkedIn State of Inventory Management 2026 Survey Visit resources page

Key Takeaways

Be selfish with your AI strategy: Start with the operational problems that matter to your business. Don't use AI just because it's popular. Find what actually helps your team.
Get your data ready, then add context: AI is generic without context. Give it accurate data and the details that make your business unique, from your suppliers, to which websites you visit to source materials, and key processes.
Not every workflow should be automated: Some tasks still need human judgment, especially when it comes to financial data or decisions that could directly impact the business.
Smaller manufacturers have an advantage with AI: Smaller teams can move faster, try new tools, and make decisions with fewer layers of approval.
AI can find opportunities and make annoying tasks easier: AI can help find alternative suppliers, spot cost savings, and simplify tedious work like drafting documents and preparing quotes.
AI doesn't replace the human side of supply chain: Relationships, trust, and collaboration are at the heart of the industry. AI can help with the work, but it can't replace those human connections.
Measure AI by business results: Look at what AI actually improves, like time saved, fewer errors, or increased productivity.
Vibe coding comes with risks: Just because AI can build a working tool doesn't mean it's ready for important business operations. Security, reliability, and maintenance still matter.
Know what to ask AI vendors: Ask where your data goes, how it's protected, and whether the vendor is SOC 2 compliant or, for U.S. government use, meets FedRAMP requirements. Another important factor to consider is can the solution can run within your own environment.

Special guest Rehaan Bicha

Co-founder and CEO of Metalinked

Rehaan Bicha is the Co-founder and CEO of Metalinked, an AI software company focused on manufacturing operations, procurement, and supply chain. He leads Metalinked’s vision and go-to-market strategy, drawing on his experience in enterprise operations and AI product development. His work focuses on helping manufacturing teams make smarter sourcing and procurement decisions using AI and their existing operational data.