At Interu, we’re always keen to connect with experts who challenge the status quo and bring fresh insights into compliance and supply chain management. Today, we’re speaking with Eduard de Boer, an industry expert at Evan Buytendijk, who works with Suppliers and EU Operators on a daily basis to help support them in their journey towards EUDR compliance.
In this conversation, Eduard shares his thoughts on the challenges of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into supply chain software, the pitfalls of supplier fatigue, and why a measured approach is key to maintaining trust and compliance.
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Interu: Eduard, thanks for joining us. Let’s start with a big-picture question: How do you view the current landscape of supply chain software, particularly in light of EUDR?
Eduard de Boer: Thanks for having me. What I see is a flood of new supply chain software packages hitting the market. While innovation is great, it comes with a downside: the quality of information suffers as suppliers struggle to keep up. Think about it—one supplier might be asked to update data in three or four different systems: Interu, then System X, then Y, and so on. It’s overwhelming.
This fatigue reduces motivation, and when suppliers stop updating the systems accurately, the entire chain suffers. Companies are jumping on the compliance bandwagon, asking suppliers to upload endless data without considering how realistic that is.
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Interu: That’s a great point. How does the team at Evan Buytendijk help manage this?
Eduard: As consultants, we often step in to upload information on behalf of suppliers. But even we can only handle the systems we’re managing directly. The bigger issue is that many of these systems are being built by companies without the right expertise.
For example, some developers might have a financial background but no understanding of timber traceability or supply chain complexity. They’re building tools that don’t align with the needs of the market. It’s like buying a Mini Cooper and trying to turn it into a Ferrari—things get messy fast.
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Interu: Let’s talk about AI specifically. It seems like a hot topic in supply chains right now. What are your thoughts on its role?
Eduard: AI is incredibly useful, but it has limits—especially when it comes to risk assessment. Some companies are marketing AI as a decision-making tool, claiming it can deliver compliance with a “green check mark.” That’s a dangerous oversimplification.
Take the Netherlands’ competent authority as an example. They’ve made it clear they won’t accept risk assessments based on AI alone. Even if an AI system is vetted by accountants, those accountants won’t be paying the fines if something goes wrong.
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Interu: So where do you see AI fitting into the compliance workflow?
Eduard: AI is great for automating repetitive tasks and gathering information. For instance, I recently uploaded a scanned image of forest coordinates into an AI tool, which extracted the data and converted it into a geospatial file. In another case, I used AI to summarise findings from an audit report and map them to EUDR requirements. These tasks saved hours of manual work.
But here’s the key: AI is a support tool, not a decision-maker. It can free up time for professionals to focus on deeper analysis, but you still need human expertise to make the final call.
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Interu: Do you think companies are overestimating what AI can do?
Eduard: Absolutely. People see AI as the next shiny object and expect it to solve problems it isn’t designed for. AI models are trained on historical data, so they’re inherently backward-looking. That makes them less reliable for making forward-looking decisions, especially in a dynamic field like supply chain compliance.
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Interu: As we move into 2024, what’s your advice for companies looking to integrate AI into their supply chain tools?
Eduard: First, keep things practical. Use AI to handle tasks like document translation or data extraction—it’s great for that. For example, AI can compile a list of the documents you need to prove compliance in Bosnia or Gabon, saving you time. But don’t rely on it to make critical decisions, like risk assessments.
Second, invest in expertise. Build systems from the ground up with input from professionals who understand compliance, traceability, and supply chains. And finally, stay skeptical of overhyped promises. AI is a tool, not a replacement for accountability.
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Eduard’s insights underscore the importance of balancing innovation with practicality. At Interu, we share his commitment to creating systems that empower users without compromising on quality or compliance. By integrating AI thoughtfully, we can help businesses navigate the challenges of regulations like EUDR while staying grounded in the realities of supply chain management.
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