Analyst Insight: Transportation leaders are making significant progress in operationalizing artificial intelligence. Breakthrough’s Peak Shipping Season Pulse, a survey of 300 transportation decision-makers, found that AI was the most effective tool shippers used to manage transportation volatility during the 2025 holiday season. It enabled faster responses to shifting conditions and helped maintain performance under cost and capacity pressures. Now, widespread use is contributing to early return on investment.

Despite fuel volatility, tariffs and tighter budgets, many U.S. transportation networks held up remarkably well during the 2025 peak shipping season. Nearly half (49%) of transportation and logistics leaders say AI had a significant impact on their ability to navigate end-of-year shipping challenges.

It’s a clear signal that AI has moved beyond experimentation and is now embedded in the core infrastructure of modern logistics.

Based on that, it’s clear that adoption is widespread. The vast majority (96%) of transportation leaders say they currently use AI across planning and operations, most commonly for analytics and reporting (77%), route/load optimization (63%), and freight demand and capacity forecasting (56%). This indicates AI maturity in transportation is scaling rapidly and the focus for 2026 will be on deepening impact.

ROI is also tangible. As many organizations grapple with how to capture ROI from AI, transportation is already seeing measurable results in day-to-day operations. More than two in every five transportation leaders say they already experience measurable ROI from their AI investments, and another third expect returns within six months. As 2026 unfolds, organizations will likely double down on the areas where ROI is clearest, especially as cost and service pressures continue to mount.

Today, cost stabilization is a primary use case. With cost management top-of-mind for transportation leaders in the back half of last year, many turned to AI for help navigating rising transportation and fuel costs (48%), margin-pressure and cost-reduction goals (43%), and inflation-driven transportation costs. Now that we’re well into 2026, that strategy is unlikely to change given the positive ROI many experienced. 

Headed into 2026, ongoing investment is expected, and early AI wins are encouraging executives to keep AI funding flowing. Nearly all transportation leaders (96%) agree that continued AI investment is a top long-term priority and core investment pillar for their organization’s senior leadership team, and nearly 60% strongly agree. As AI capabilities expand, executive buy-in will be critical to accelerating adoption and embedding intelligence across the entire supply chain. 

Growth opportunities still remain for 2026 as well. With more funding available for AI deployments in 2026, transportation teams should explore new applications for the technology. Currently, just a third of transportation leaders report using AI to support request for proposals or contract and rate negotiation. These functions represent untapped ground for cost efficiency, smarter carrier alignment, and more agile procurement and will likely see increased experimentation in the months ahead.

Resource Link: https://www.breakthroughfuel.com

Outlook: The 2025 peak shipping season offered the strongest proof yet that AI is delivering on its promise for the transportation industry. As 2026 progresses, transportation leaders are likely to explore how AI can support broader decision-making, not just optimize individual functions, but better connect planning, execution and cost strategies. While most use cases remain focused on forecasting and optimization, the next phase may involve more coordinated, system-wide applications that help shippers adapt faster and operate more efficiently.