REDUCING SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS, COSTS, AND WASTE USING AI AND BLOCKCHAIN TO STRENGTHEN U.S. ECONOMIC RESILIENCE

Abstract The resilience of the U.S. supply chain has become a paramount national interest, especially in the face of worldwide disruptions triggered by such agents as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitics, and inflation-infused resource volatility. Such disruptions have put in the limelight the frailties of the conventional supply networks, thereby having the effect of increasing costs, delays, wastes, and systemic inefficiencies. Meanwhile, there is a swelling call in scholarly and industrial circles for the incorporation of AI and blockchain into supply chain activities to make these operations more resilient. AI presents predictive analytics, real-time optimization, and demand forecasting, whereas blockchain guarantees traceability, transparency, and immutability between supply chain nodes. By synthesizing evidence from recent academic literature, this article aims to study the role of the integration of AI-Blockchain in handling disturbances, cutting operational costs, and curbing environmental and financial wastes. Drawing from 40 high-impact papers, the article demonstrates successful deployments in critical systems such as food, energy, healthcare, and defence. Results indicate that together, digital intelligence and distributed ledger systems can convert fragmented supply chains into stretchable, transparent, and resilient systems. Through strategic alignment of such technologies with national policies, the U.S. is not just able to weather domestic economic shocks but will also lay down the foundation for sustainable development, competitive advantage, and technological sovereignty in global markets.