ATA Leaders Cite AI's Benefits While Parsing Out the Hype
Technology Development Significantly Accelerates for Trucking
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SAN DIEGO — American Trucking Associations leaders parsed out the hype to discuss how artificial intelligence is becoming a critical tool for the industry.
ATA brought together numerous industry stakeholders and experts to tackle the most pressing issues during its Management Conference & Exhibition. AI and its impacts on safety and innovation was among the most discussed topics between sessions and various conversations held during the event that ran Oct. 25-28.
“I’ve spent a lot of time trying to learn about it and really be thoughtful for what it can do versus the hype,” newly installed ATA Chairman Greg Hodgen told Transport Topics. “We hear so many things about the space of AI and what it can do. But what are the practical implications for us, where it can really be applied to make things easier to do, better, quicker, more efficient, and still keep the values that we have around safety, service and our integrity?”
Hodgen also is CEO of Groendyke Transport in Enid, Okla., a nearly century-old family business. He was elected ATA’s 81st chairman on the final day of the conference.
"We’re seeing it really come in and serve what we believe to be beneficial areas within the industry,” ATA President Chris Spear (left) says of AI as First Vice Chair Derek Leathers of Werner Enterprises looks on. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
“It’s an evolving issue; it’s going to continue to get a lot of attention,” ATA President Chris Spear told TT. “Every time we meet, we end up talking about elements of AI. There are parts of it that are now, not just creeping into operations and efficiencies, but also into automation and automated vehicles. So we’re seeing it really come in and serve what we believe to be beneficial areas within the industry.”
AI development has significantly accelerated in recent years due to advances in computing power, the availability of massive datasets and breakthroughs in deep learning algorithms. This has spurred changes and new processes across industries, and trucking is no exception, especially with carriers and their partners relying on large datasets and complex processes.
McLeod Software CEO Tom McLeod discusses how the company is incorporating AI into trucking software in ways that work for carriers and brokers navigating a challenging freight market.Tune in above or by going to .
“We’ve always met innovation at ATA, embraced it in ways that helps improve safety and productivity and efficiencies, and I don’t think AI is going to be any different,” Spear said. “But I think it’s going to continue to evolve and probably support us in various areas that we didn’t think about before. It’s moving that quickly.”
ATA has put technological development at the forefront of its industry advocacy throughout its history. The has spearheaded much of this by developing recommended engineering and maintenance practices that are voluntarily adopted by fleets, truck manufacturers and component suppliers with the aim of improving equipment and maintenance.
“I think we’ll see more AI in the products that we’re already purchasing,” ATA immediate past Chairman Dennis Dellinger said. “The suppliers that we’re already using will take on AI within their own products.”
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