Shippers urged to adopt AI cautiously as logistics providers invest amid rapid tech advancements, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.
The rapid pace of artificial intelligence development means shippers may not need to rush into adoption, while logistics service providers face clearer mandates to invest, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.
At the Manifest supply chain technology conference in Las Vegas, industry participants noted that software development cycles are shortening, which reduces the disadvantage of late adoption. A shipper questioned whether being on the bleeding edge was necessary, given how quickly AI tools evolve.
Logistics service providers have fewer priorities and must invest in technology that directly affects capacity and shipper services. Shippers, however, must balance wider corporate needs, making AI investment in freight and trade less urgent.
The pace of change, with advances from developers such as OpenAI and Anthropic, discourages heavy commitments that may soon become outdated. Faster product cycles also mean companies can catch up more quickly than in past software adoption phases.
Experts advised shippers and logistics service providers to research and test AI cautiously, staying informed without overcommitting financially. AI dominated discussions at the conference, with concerns over workforce impacts, pricing, and whether it could replace existing software.
The Journal of Commerce reported that shippers may prefer to let intermediaries absorb the risks of early adoption while monitoring developments closely.
