On 19 December, the 'Crossectorial TIC-Logistics - Generative AI in the logistics sector: challenges and opportunities in last mile distribution' was held at ICIL-Lab, located in the DFactory building in the free zone. The event, organized by the Digital Cluster of Catalonia and ICIL, explored the impacts, challenges and perspectives that Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers to the logistics sector in general and to the distribution of last mile in particular.
The activity began with a round table that had 3 speakers who showed their vision about the application of Generative AI to the last mile distribution. Pere Roca, CEO of Geever, highlighted the importance of understanding light transport processes and looking for specific applications within the company to improve efficiency. Marc Maceira, Data scientist at Basetis, highlighted how the integration of Generative AI can empower professionals with tools to obtain information more efficiently and effectively, freeing them from the exclusive responsibility of this knowledge. On the other hand, Oleguer Sagarra, Co-founder and co-CEO at DRIBIA, raised an interesting debate on the line that defines the use of traditional AI versus Generative and expressed some scepticism regarding the constant need to resort to AI, highlighting that in many cases the tasks could be solved with simpler technologies. He concluded by commenting that problems are almost always process or culture, not technological.
Next, the attendees organized themselves into two working tables to think about project ideas. The first table highlighted the ability of Generative AI to improve communication between distributors and operators, offering faster, informed and inclusive solutions for customers. On the other hand, the second table highlighted the importance of digitizing and identifying critical processes before implementing Generative AI, as well as considering the user experience as one more fact.
In summary, the event underlined the transformative potential of Generative AI in the logistics sector, identifying key challenges such as the need for digitization and the effective management of information for the correct implementation of this disruptive technology.
