There’s a revolution coming to the freight industry in the form of artificial intelligence, but what does that actually mean?

“There are so many places where we can apply this technology,” says Tanmay Mathur, senior vice president of Linehaul at XPO. These include practical matters such as driver safety, including detecting distracted driving or tail-gating. AI can also help create loads that allow for more “pure” trailers, that go direct from point A to B, instead of having to make intermediate loading or unloading stops. That means lower costs for companies, less damage and enhanced customer service.

“Like any technology, the goal here has to be making life easier for dockworkers and drivers — making it more efficient and safer,” says Mathur. That includes reducing driver idling time with more accurate arrival times that help dock managers schedule pickups and deliveries to avoid bottlenecks at the dock.

With the trucking industry experiencing greatly increased costs, artificial intelligence has to be part of the solution, Mathur argues. “The cost is top of mind in this macro-environment, [and] the impact on profit for companies,” he says. “And that’s where technology can really help companies improve their costs right now.” AI can also help optimize labor deployment, including directing the use of “gig” workers who don’t work conventional shifts.

“With the record unemployment we have, I think it’s imperative that we use technology for everything,” Mathur says. The ability to move away from rigid structures, such as the three-shift system for workers, is just one example of how AI can empower companies to optimize their transportation operations. ”We have to be more flexible, because that’s what people are looking for – flexible hours and flexible job functions,” he says. “That’s where technology can really help deliver an optimal solution that we can implement. It’s very hard for humans to do all that in a short amount of time.”