Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly developed into an integral part of transport and logistics management. According to Descartes’ European Transport Management Benchmark Study, only 3% of European shippers and logistics service providers (LSPs) do not use AI in the transformation of transport processes. Descartes’ study was conducted in 2025 among 300 senior decision-makers at shippers and logistics service providers in Europe.

In practice, the use of AI in transport and logistics currently focuses primarily on automating processes and improving decision-making. For example, 41% of respondents use AI to automate data entry and convert unstructured data. In addition, 37% apply AI for route and load optimization, while 32% use AI for load matching and capacity purchasing. In addition, 29% of respondents indicated AI is used for freight forecasts.

Leaders use AI more strategically

Although AI is widely used, financially successful companies are clearly ahead of the game. Within this group, 61% use AI for data entry automation and 52% for AI-driven freight forecasts. It is striking that market leaders also use AI more often for strategic applications, such as dynamic price optimization (39%) and dock planning (39%).

Shippers are ahead of logistics service providers

The study also shows that shippers are more technologically advanced than LSPs. For example, 45% of shippers use AI for data entry automation, compared to 36% of LSPs. A similar difference applies to route and load optimization: 42% of shippers use AI, compared to 31% of LSPs.

Generative AI becomes an explicit priority

In addition to current applications, generative AI is also gaining ground as a strategic priority. A quarter of respondents (25%) cite the introduction of generative AI tools as an important strategy for improving business operations and strengthening customer service.

“The widespread adoption of AI shows that the logistics sector has grown. The distinction is no longer whether companies use AI, but how deeply AI is integrated into decision-making and operational processes,” says Elmer Spruijt, VP Transport Management EMEA at Descartes.