AI is accelerating, but how can trucking use it effectively?

AI is reshaping trucking and logistics by automating processes, sharpening decision-making, and boosting profitability—but only if fleets deploy it strategically. At ACT Expo 2026 in Las Vegas, executives from Werner Enterprises, Penske Transportation Solutions, and Platform Science emphasized that successful AI adoption hinges on solving real business pain points rather than chasing trends. Werner’s CIO Daragh Mahon argued that AI is already streamlining operations, making teams faster and more data-driven. “Fundamentally, it’s making us quicker, it’s helping us make better decisions, and I think long term, just becomes a natural part of the operation,” Mahon said. He highlighted AI’s role in freight decision-making, noting that humans often make flawed choices due to lack of data or experience. Platform Science CEO Jack Kennedy stressed that fleets must ruthlessly evaluate their unique needs before adopting AI tools. “The tools will get easier, but not knowing your business won’t,” Kennedy warned, cautioning against blindly following competitors into unproductive “rabbit holes.” Penske’s Sherry Sanger advocated for hands-on experimentation, urging fleets to partner with tech providers to test AI at small scale. Penske is already using AI for predictive maintenance, alerting customers to potential breakdowns before they happen, and its Catalyst AI platform benchmarks performance metrics like fuel economy and asset utilization. Werner has deployed an AI tool that automates thousands of weekly freight appointment calls, optimizing schedules to reduce downtime and improve truck utilization. Looking ahead, industry leaders see connected data and vehicle platforms as critical for AI’s next phase, with Mahon envisioning AI agents communicating across systems to unlock deeper insights. The consensus: AI isn’t a silver bullet, but a powerful tool—when applied with precision.