We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » AI on the rise
newsworthy

AI on the rise

November 19, 2018
Victoria Kickham
No Comments

Although many business leaders point to artificial intelligence (AI) as a technology that will change the future of the workforce, a recent study shows that nearly a third of U.S. workers (32 percent) are already exposed to some form of AI in their jobs. An additional 6 percent of workers will begin using AI tools for the first time in 2019, according to the study, which was released this month by Optimized Workforce, a newly launched think tank that studies the intersection of technology and employment.

Optimized Workforce said it surveyed more than 10,000 U.S. workers to understand the time they spend on specific tasks, the technologies they work with and the technologies they will deploy next year to help with those tasks. The study found that AI-enabled document classification and document creation technologies are the leading business AI applications today and that they will continue to see strong investment in 2019. The study also found that more strategic AI tools—such as scenario planning—will gain steam in 2019 as well.

"AI is not the future of work, it's the present," Craig Desens, an Optimized Workforce advisor, said in a statement announcing the survey results. "Before we conducted this large-scale survey of U.S. workers, we were predicting AI adoption through macroeconomic indicators. Now we have a more detailed view of the current state."

The transportation and logistics sector is no exception to the growing trend, as a recent industry technology conference illustrated. A series of software and technology demonstrations at MarketWaves18, held November 12-14 in Dallas, showcased applications featuring AI and machine learning technologies designed to streamline transportation and freight industry processes and job functions.

Freight shipping management startup Shipwell was one of them, introducing an AI assistant that allows brokers and shippers to perform automated check calls to drivers. The AI feature in the Shipwell platform uses natural language processing and machine learning to improve both customer-facing and internal operations. Drivers receive an automated check call on their phone, and they can use simple voice commands for pickup and delivery updates, alerts and other functions, eliminating the need to stop and manually enter information. The simple command system allows shippers and brokers to react in real time to issues, problems or changes, all while improving safety via its hands-free operation for drivers. Shipwell is using the tool internally with carriers and plans to roll it out to shippers and other third-party logistics partners later this year, according to company President and Co-founder Jason Traff.

Traff says such products offer the ideal bridge for companies moving from manual to automated processes because they combine the best of both worlds.

"Supply chains are speeding up," he explains. "There are more shipments, and people need to learn to do 10 times more tomorrow than they can do today. The best combination is using a mix of human [talent] and automation. You need a person who is good at their job to do 10 times more than they did last week."

The Optimized Workforce study echoed those sentiments, noting that an anticipated 15 percent productivity gain from AI applications in the U.S. economy this year does not mean there will be a corresponding 15 percent reduction in employment. Instead, the technology will be used to help workers do more with less, freeing up time to spend on more meaningful tasks.

"More than 13 percent of workers surveyed said they spend so much time on tasks that could be made more efficient with AI that they are missing key business goals and deliverables," the survey authors said.

Technology Supply Chain Services Cloud & SaaS
KEYWORDS Shipwell
  • Related Articles

    The Logistics Matters podcast: What's next for the USPS?; interest in TMS on the rise; the effects of Hurricane Laura | Season 1 Episode 21

    The Sustainability Negotiation: Customer demand for eco-friendly options are on the rise, reveals ne

    Demand for drivers on the rise in foodservice industry

Victoria kickham headshot
Victoria Kickham started her career as a newspaper reporter in the Boston area before moving into B2B journalism. She has covered manufacturing, distribution and supply chain issues for a variety of publications in the industrial and electronics sectors, and now writes about everything from forklift batteries to omnichannel business trends for DC Velocity.

Recent Articles by Victoria Kickham

Logistics industry growth continued in February

Fast DCs require layers of automation

Warehouse automation market set to grow, despite short-term pain ahead

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Wireless technology could help electric trucks charge more safely, efficiently

  • Port of Oakland reports slow February container volumes as retail activity sputters

  • Thoma Bravo completes $8 billion buyout of Coupa Software

  • What’s shaping omnichannel fulfillment strategies?

  • WMS feels the squeeze

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Ce1e8b83 026c 4709 8554 43eef6c78213

Will the Silicon Valley Bank Fallout Affect Your Supply Chain? And Our Salute to the Women Supply Chain Leaders

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
The developments with Silicon Valley Bank and other financial institutions have gotten everyone’s attention. Will these banks be “isolated incidents” or do they portend a contagion with dire economic consequences? Candidly, I think the verdict is still out.That said, we’ve heard from some shippers and columnists who...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Five tips for parcel success in 2023

  • Education Series: How, When and Why to Use XR Wearables in Your Industrial Business

  • The Future of Fleet Management: 5 Trends and Influences That Will Drive Logistics in 2023

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing