The Lasting Impact of AI in Transportation
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a concept floated at conferences or tech expos. It is now driving measurable improvements in freight operations across the board. At the April 2025 Broker-Carrier Summit in Indianapolis, industry leaders came together to discuss where AI is making a difference, what is coming next, and how brokers and carriers can harness its potential to stay competitive.
The session, titled “The Lasting Impact of AI in Transportation,” featured Don Everhart (Transflo), Jordan Kidd (Alvys), Tony Singh (Channel19), and Hidayat Hamidov (TARMAC). Each panelist brought years of experience, candid insights, and specific examples of how AI is solving real problems in freight.
Where AI Is Delivering Value Right Now
One of the clearest wins in today’s AI applications is automating document processing. Freight companies have long relied on people to handle repetitive back-office tasks that consume time and introduce errors. At Alvys, AI is being used to dramatically improve document accuracy.
“We’re using AI to have more and more accuracy on document handling. We’ve gone from 80 percent accuracy, 85, 90, 95, pushing towards 100 percent,” shared Kidd.
Eliminating manual paperwork has not just saved time but has allowed operations teams to focus on higher-impact tasks. This type of AI, though less flashy than autonomous vehicles, is already producing results that matter on the balance sheet. Panelists emphasized that behind-the-scenes efficiency will separate the leaders from the laggards.
Singh added that Channel19 is using AI agents to streamline daily tasks like booking spot loads and entering order data into TMS platforms. These tasks often drain hours from dispatcher workflows, but can now be handled by AI in seconds. He described how one customer had a team member spending most of their time just inputting data into their TMS. With automation, that function has been dramatically reduced or eliminated altogether.
No, AI Will Not Replace Brokers
There was broad consensus that while AI is transforming operations, it will not make brokers obsolete. Instead, it will raise the bar for what brokers need to deliver.
“AI is not going to do that. AI is going to help brokers boost their productivity. The brokers will take themselves to the next level. They are not going to be out,” emphasized Hamidov.
Rather than displacing humans, AI is becoming a tool to extend their capabilities. The panel pointed out that many conversations around job loss repeat the same cycle seen during past technology revolutions. Just like containerization and the internet once sparked fear, AI will push people into new, higher-value roles that require adaptability, not repetition.
Everhart reinforced this point by explaining that brokers who embrace AI tools will gain a significant edge. Companies that resist change or rely on legacy processes will likely fall behind, but those that adapt will survive and even thrive in the new environment. The winners will be those who combine operational excellence with smart adoption of technology.
Access to Technology Is No Longer a Big-Firm Advantage
Another important theme discussed was the shrinking gap between large and small players. Years ago, only the biggest firms could afford enterprise-grade tools that met shipper expectations. But AI and cloud-based platforms are changing that dynamic.
“There’s been this democratization of technology to where smaller and smaller carriers and brokers can afford tech that rivals what the big firms are using,” explained Kidd.
As access to advanced tools improves, so does the ability for small teams to deliver high-touch service at scale. The combination of modern TMS platforms and AI-enabled automation means even a three-person brokerage can now offer capabilities that rival their largest competitors.
Curiosity Beats Credentials in the AI Era
During the discussion, the panel was asked whether older generations are being left behind in this tech transition. Kidd offered a compelling perspective by reframing the issue.
“It’s not so much an age gap. It’s an agency gap. Agency is the real value. It’s not knowledge,” said Kidd.
The tools are accessible, but the willingness to explore them varies. The real divide is not generational but behavioral. People who take the initiative to learn AI will find themselves at an advantage, regardless of their background or years in the industry. Today’s tools can act as personalized tutors, coders, analysts, or strategists, but only if users are willing to engage.
Making the Right Choice: Build or Buy?
For companies looking to integrate AI, one of the biggest questions is whether to build solutions in-house or purchase from vendors. Kidd noted that proof-of-concept projects can be spun up quickly, but scaling and maintaining those tools is a different story.
“Don’t look only at the effort to build a proof of concept. What’s the long-term cost of maintenance, security, and reliability?” questioned Kidd.
Singh echoed this caution. He explained that it often depends on the company’s tech maturity, available resources, and how strategic the problem is. Many AI tools can be deployed fast, but integrating them into a company’s long-term operations in a secure and scalable way requires thoughtful planning.
Focusing on Execution, Not Hype
As AI funding floods the market and new solutions appear weekly, the panelists stressed the importance of focus and execution. It is easy to get distracted chasing buzzwords or trying to build everything. What matters is solving real problems and delivering measurable outcomes.
“Your only defensibility is the speed at which you're executing,” stressed Singh.
Hamidov added that their company is intentionally zeroing in on reducing deadhead miles with precision and speed, perfecting just one function rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Kidd shared that Alvys’ strength lies in owning the data layer from quote to cash, which allows them to use AI with full context across the entire operation.
“We are the source of truth from quote to cash. We know all the moving parts, and that allows us to make better decisions than a single point solution ever could,” said Kidd.
The freight industry may be slow to change, but this conversation proved that AI is not hype anymore. It is here, it is working, and the companies that embrace it thoughtfully are already beginning to pull ahead.
