Artificial intelligence has gone from promise to reality and is already profoundly transforming Brazilian logistics. Its impacts are concrete, measured in time savings, cost reductions, and improved consumer experience.
The algorithms learn on their own 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 with greater precision. What once relied on manual processes, like preparing logistics proposals, can now be automated. Within seconds, prices are adjusted, costs decrease, and efficiency grows.
In the so-called ‘last mile,’ artificial intelligence establishes itself as a competitive differentiator. Real-time tracking technologies, automatic notifications, and digital customer service make the journey smoother and more predictable for consumers, increasing satisfaction. Additionally, by cross-referencing historical data, purchasing patterns, and seasonality, AI enables more accurate demand forecasts, contributing to smarter inventories and reduced stockouts.
A practical example comes from a retailer in Brazil’s Northern region that integrated a routing platform via API. Previously, four people spent six hours a day on this task. After adopting AI, just one person can complete the same work in only 40 minutes. Cities like Manaus, Boa Vista, Rio Branco, and Porto Velho now enjoy faster and better-coordinated deliveries. The financial impact is also clear: up to 20% reduction in logistics costs without compromising—and often even improving—customer experience.
Today, intelligent assistants recalibrate routes in real time, support delivery personnel in the field, and automatically address consumer inquiries. A transformation that the market not only recognizes but heavily invests in. In 2022, AI applications in logistics moved $3 billion globally, with projections reaching $64 billion by 2030. In Brazil, progress is also significant: volumes are expected to jump to $5.5 billion by 2027. According to McKinsey estimates, AI adoption could generate up to $2 billion in annual gains for companies. And as per the World Economic Forum, 20% of global deliveries will be automated by 2025.
Despite advancements, this is not yet a plug and play technology. The logistics sector faces challenges such as siloed systems, fragmented data, and a culture often resistant to change. Integrating, cleaning, and strategically using this data requires effort, training, and paradigm shifts. But it’s an inevitable shift: those who don’t advance will fall behind.
The future of logistics will be shaped by an ecosystem of AI, the Internet of Things, sensors, and robots—promoting greater visibility, speed, security, and sustainability. And the truth is, this future has already begun. Its name is artificial intelligence.
