AI in logistics is growing with buzz around generative AI and AI related tools. Logistics industry is benefactor of AI applications as on date. For an industry grappling managing multifaceted supply chains and shifting market demands, AI is turning the table around, says Tribhuwan Negi, CTO, Kale Logistics Solutions.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) in logistics market is expected to be valued at US$ 707.74 billion by 2034 with a growth of nearly 44 per cent in the next few years. As digital transformation accelerates, a new paradigm is emerging at the intersection of artificial intelligence and automation—AI agentification.
Understanding AI agentification
At its core, AI agentification involves deploying autonomous digital agents specialised software programmes equipped with AI to perform tasks, interpret data, and make real-time decisions traditionally carried out by humans. In logistics, this means streamlining everything from order processing and inventory management to route
optimisation and customer communications.
Redefining supply chain operations
Conventionally, logistics operations have been bogged down by repetitive manual tasks, siloed data, and slow information flows. AI agents break down these barriers by serving as digital intermediaries at each touchpoint. For instance, instead of manually assigning deliveries to trucks or tracking shipments through spreadsheets, AI agents autonomously coordinate schedules, monitor real-time data feeds, and dynamically adjust routing for optimal performance.
Personalisation
The growth in e-commerce and rising consumer expectations demand transparency and personalisation from the logistics providers. AI agentification enables real-time customer interaction through chatbots and virtual assistants, offering instant shipment updates and tailored solutions via web, mobile, or voice platforms.
By analysing customer preferences, these agents customise delivery options and services, shifting logistics from reactive support to proactive engagement, boosting customer loyalty and unlocking new business opportunities.
Collaboration
One of the challenges in the logistics sector is the coordination among stakeholders
such as shippers, carriers, warehouses and regulators. AI agents excel at ecosystem integration, acting as digital diplomats that bridge gaps between disparate IT systems and communication protocols. By exchanging data, negotiating contracts, and verifying compliance, these agents foster a resilient supply chain network.
Driving predictive logistics
The full potential of AI agentification is unlocked through predictive analytics and adaptive decision-making. By ingesting historical and real-time data ranging from shipment patterns and fuel prices to macroeconomic indicators AI agents can forecast demand, forecast disruptions, and optimise capacity planning. In practice, this translates to dynamic routing, where delivery plans are updated on-the-fly based on live traffic, weather, or infrastructure conditions.
Conclusion
AI agentification is not a futuristic vision, it is becoming the standard in logistics, creating smart supply chains. As the industry continues to navigate globalisation and uncertainty, those who embrace this wave of digital intelligence will lead the path redefining what is possible in delivery of the goods and services worldwide.
