From route optimization to inventory management, demand forecasting, and cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a key driver of transformation in the logistics industry.
During the “Path to Logistics Excellence: Innovation with Artificial Intelligence” panel at the National Council of Executives in Logistics and Supply Chain (ConaLog), specialists affirmed that AI plays a crucial role in the evolution of logistics, emphasizing that collaboration between humans and machines will be essential to maximize the benefits of this technology.
In this regard, Gustavo Equihua, Director of Management and Information Technology at Frialsa, pointed out that AI has various uses and increasingly diverse applications, such as text and image recognition, pattern identification, automation, natural language generation for responses, and application code development, all depending on the type of business.
Moreover, the specialist indicated that in supply chain management, AI can be used, for example, to optimize routes, provide chain visibility to respond to disruptions, predict demand, utilize space or restrictions, automate warehouses and vehicles, enhance cybersecurity, among others.
“It’s important to understand that technology can suggest what to do and we need to keep training it. We provide answers, and if we help, it will improve. The more volume and training, the more it learns,” he asserted.
In light of this landscape, specialists noted that logistics workers will need to adapt to new roles and skills.
Sylvain Edelberg, Global Director of Data, Analytics & AI for Grupo Bimbo, emphasized that, despite fear, uncertainty, and lack of knowledge about this tool, it must be integrated and people should be allowed to use it.
“We must create a path where AI serves humans to make better decisions and puts people at the center. This makes you not afraid of losing your job; instead, you should seek how this tool can improve your work,” he noted.
In a context where logistics constantly faces challenges, Gerardo Franco, Director of Demand and Supply Planning at Grupo Herdez, highlighted the importance of always being prepared, suggesting that AI could be a helpful tool.
He indicated that the focus should be on processes: “Before artificial intelligence can help and enhance all these ways of working, we must be ready with the algorithm that we will teach AI, all these steps to follow,” he said.
Companies are using AI
Sylvain Edelberg, aiming to build a sustainable, highly productive, and fully human company, is integrating AI into some processes, for example, placing their code of ethics and regulations in a database so that their workers and suppliers can consult them more quickly and easily with these technological tools.
On the other hand, Equihua pointed out that at Frialsa, a topic they are focusing on with AI is cybersecurity, which has allowed them to have high control with little supervision from people and without paying monitoring services.
“It has been good protection, for low cost and more peaceful nights,” the specialist assured.
Likewise, he indicated that they are visualizing initiatives, understanding clearly the processes and business objectives they want to develop, for example, the customer experience.
“We aim to provide customers with a good experience, so what is currently a process of email, message, call, to find out where my things are, we can give customers that response more quickly and easily,” Equihua concluded.
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