The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the supply chain is transforming logistics, improving decision making and optimizing processes, according to specialists from various industries gathered at a meeting organized by #SoyLogístico Asociación .

In this regard, Paty López, senior director of RELEX Solutions , mentioned the need for technological solutions that allow greater efficiency and speed in processes.

“In the processes of technological change, anxiety and grief are generated. We need technological solutions that respond to these challenges,” López added.

In that sense, Adolfo De Unánue, research director of the Faculty of Government of the Tecnológico de Monterrey , addressed the challenges that organizations face when implementing artificial intelligence solutions.

“It is not just about attacking existing problems, but about rethinking and unlocking new capabilities in work processes,” explained De Unánue.

The academic also highlighted the importance of using production, storage, climate and sales data to predict demands and optimize processes. He assured that generative artificial intelligence offers multiple uses, including industrial systems with human language, reinforcement learning and demand prediction.

“This in the end is a software product, a process that must be maintained. We should not expect to have perfect data to test AI. The lack of generality of machine learning models is their main strength, since it provides specific contextualization capacity for each organization,” explained De Unánue.

According to specialists, despite what you may hear from AI providers , this technology is not designed to replace humans , but to train them and elevate their skills in their businesses.

“We must start making models that tell us what changes to implement, since we do not know what is going to happen. Flexibility is crucial to adapt to technological and consumer trends,” added De Unánue.

For his part, Miguel Ángel Collado, deputy director of Logistics at Grupo Herdez , highlighted the need to convince senior management about investing in AI.

“One of the strongest challenges is how to convince directors and senior managers that it is worth investing in AI. You need a partner who understands the project. AI is not a goal, it is a path to improve the processes you have, adapting and changing the entire system. First we must focus on the variables we want to predict and where we are obtaining that information from. It is crucial to have experts who can handle these tools and understand what they tell us,” said Collado.

In terms of sustainability , Collado pointed out how AI can help optimize routes and reduce waste: “AI will help you see which routes are optimal, and what needs to be done is to minimize food waste and pollution. The better we can plan and predict sustainably, the less we destroy,” he highlighted.

The director of RELEX also emphasized the crucial role that young people or the so-called centennial generation will play in the future.

“Centennials will be the leaders of tomorrow. In 10 years they will be running our companies and the questions are, what type of profiles do we need then? As logistics chains we are used to traditional decisions. The production level will depend on the strategy of each company, but we must prepare for small constant changes,” said López.

The three specialists agreed on the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to make the most of the capabilities of AI in logistics.

“We must involve all areas of the companies for its use. Flexibility and adaptability are key to keeping the organization viable in the face of external changes,” concluded Collado.

These statements were made during the interactive forum “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in the Supply Chain ” organized by #SoyLogístico Asociación, which seeks to share intelligent content and best practices in the sector.

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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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