Artificial intelligence has moved from promise to reality and is already deeply transforming Brazilian logistics. Its impacts are concrete, measured in time savings, cost reductions, and improved customer experience.
Algorithms learn on their own and with impressive speed. They analyze variables such as traffic, delivery windows, and urgency levels in real time. As a result, routes are optimized, human errors are avoided, and deliveries arrive more precisely. What once depended on manual processes, such as drafting logistics proposals, can now be automated. In just a few seconds, prices are adjusted, costs are reduced, and efficiency increases.
In the so-called ‘last mile,’ artificial intelligence has become a competitive differentiator. Real-time tracking technologies, automated notifications, and digital customer service make the journey smoother and more predictable for the customer, who feels more satisfied. Additionally, by combining historical data, purchasing patterns, and seasonality, AI enables more accurate demand forecasting, contributing to smarter inventories and reduced stockouts.
A practical example comes from a retailer in Northern Brazil that integrated a routing platform via API. Previously, four people were responsible for this task for six hours per day. After adopting AI, just one person can complete the same job in only 40 minutes. Cities like Manaus, Boa Vista, Rio Branco, and Porto Velho now benefit from faster and more coordinated deliveries. The financial impact is also clear: up to a 20% reduction in logistics costs without compromising—and often even improving—the customer experience.
Today, intelligent assistants recalibrate routes in real time, assist field delivery personnel, and automatically respond to customer inquiries. A transformation that the market not only acknowledges but also heavily invests in. In 2022, AI applications in logistics accounted for $3 billion globally, with projections to reach $64 billion by 2030. In Brazil, progress is also significant: the sector is expected to grow to $5.5 billion by 2027. According to McKinsey estimates, AI adoption could generate up to $2 billion in annual gains for companies. And according to the World Economic Forum, 20% of global deliveries will be automated by 2025.
Despite the advances, this is not yet a plug-and-play technology. The logistics sector faces challenges such as siloed systems, fragmented data, and a culture that often resists change. The integration, cleaning, and strategic use of this data require effort, training, and a shift in mindset. But it’s an inevitable movement: those who don’t advance will be left behind.
The future of logistics will be shaped by an ecosystem of AI, the Internet of Things, sensors, and robots, enhancing visibility, speed, security, and sustainability. And the truth is, this future has already begun. Its name is artificial intelligence.
