RIVIERA MAYA, Q. ROO. – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a topic of the future, but an urgent reality for motor transport , as stated by Mark van Rijmenam , considered the world’s number one futurist, within the framework of the 25th National Forum on Freight Transport , organized by the National Association of Private Transport (ANTP) .
“The world is transforming at an unprecedented speed,” Van Rijmenam emphasized during the keynote address “Artificial Intelligence and Logistics: A Winning Combination for Efficiency and Competitiveness,” presented by Motum .
From his experience as an advisor to businesses and governments , he made it clear that we are experiencing a convergence of technologies that are reshaping societies, economies, and industries, from logistics to education, from algorithms to the ethical decisions that every organization must make.
With concrete examples and a direct tone, he explained how AI optimizes processes and is already generating new business models , replacing human tasks and even making high-level decisions .
“We’re moving from Moore’s Law (where computing capacity doubled every two years) to a scenario where that happens every six months, and where costs are dropping 10 times per year,” he said.
According to his diagnosis, this technological acceleration will bring both benefits and risks. “AI will contribute $20 trillion to the global economy over the next five years, but it will also destroy one billion jobs,” he warned.
For freight transport , this means a complete transformation : from autonomous vehicles and predictive maintenance to algorithms capable of deciding routes, creating reports, and communicating with operators by voice . All in real time, he explained.
In countries like China , he noted, nearly two thousand autonomous trucksare already operating and fully automated ports , and while some companies have already doubled their operating capacity without hiring more staff, others are just beginning to understand the scope of what is coming.
“The question isn’t whether AI is going to take our jobs. The question is whether we’re using AI before someone else uses it against us,” he said, echoing a warning that Pedro Rivera Benard , CEO of Tecnomotum , had also mentioned when introducing the conference.
Both (Rivera and Van Rijmenam) agreed that the most dangerous thing is not the technology itself, but falling behind .
Van Rijmenam proposed a four-step model to navigate this change: observe , adapt , verify , and empower .
In this regard, he said we must observe the signals (technological, social, ethical) to anticipate changes. We must also adapt purposefully, without losing sight of unintended consequences.
Additionally, verifying data is essential, especially given the proliferation of fake content, deepfakes , and digital impersonations. And finally, he indicated, empowering teams with tools, knowledge, and the ability to take action.
Van Rijmenam shared examples of how misuse of these tools has already caused millions in damages, such as cases of scams involving fake video calls generated by AI.
“Seeing is no longer enough to believe. We need new rules, new filters, new practices. Technologies that can help us can also destroy us if we don’t use them ethically ,” he emphasized.
For him, resilience is key . Based on his experience, he insisted that adaptability is just as important as innovation .
“It’s not just about implementing tools. It’s about changing the way we think , the way we lead , the way we collaborate ,” Van Rijmenam emphasized.
In his presentation, he explained that “no matter how frightening it may be, the future doesn’t stop. And all of us (individuals, companies, industries) are architects of what’s coming . AI has no borders. But it can have direction, if we guide it responsibly .”
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