This paper investigates the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing supply chain resilience (SCR) during major emergencies, with a focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from listed companies in China from 2015 to 2022, the study applies double and triple difference methods to explore the effects of AI on SCR. The findings reveal that major emergencies, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly disrupt supply chains, but AI technology helps improve resilience. The impact of AI is more pronounced in non-state-owned, non-high-tech industry, and eastern-region enterprises. The paper further explores how AI enhances the absorptive capacity, resistance, and recovery capabilities of supply chains, emphasizing the importance of AI-driven technologies such as big data analytics, machine learning, and IoT in mitigating disruptions. In addition to empirical results, the study offers policy recommendations at both the national and enterprise levels to foster AI development and leverage its potential for improving SCR, particularly during crises. This research contributes to the understanding of AI’s role in supply chain management and provides actionable insights for policymakers and enterprises seeking to enhance SCR in the face of future emergencies.