How Human and Artificial Intelligence Can Drive the Transformation of the Logistics Sector

During the 2025 edition of the “Gino Marchet” Contract Logistics Observatory conference at the Politecnico di Milano, held on 13 November 2025, experts, companies and institutions gathered to analyse emerging trends, strategies and concrete opportunities for the Italian logistics sector.
The event also presented the Observatory’s annual research results, with a central focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in managing logistics processes.

A Sector on the Rise

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The research introduction highlights that, after several challenging years, third-party logistics in Italy is showing signs of recovery. The sector is experiencing revenue growth and an increasing number of active operators, although production costs remain high. Some cost drivers—such as fuel and the cost of capital—are beginning to ease.
Client–provider relationships are also evolving: according to Damiano Frosi, Director of the Contract Logistics Observatory, the use of indexed contractual clauses is rising. These are essential tools for adapting to market fluctuations and ensuring stable, long-term partnerships.
On the sustainability front, many companies constantly monitor their environmental impact, although more complex and costly investments are often postponed.

AI: A Concrete Reality

Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a key enabler of modern logistics.
Survey data from 7,187 client firms shows that:

30% already have AI projects active in logistics, and this share is expected to reach 44% within three years;
Adoption rates vary by size: 46% among large companies (over €250M revenue), 42% among medium-sized firms (€50–249M), and 19% among small businesses (€10–49M);
AI is applied more in office-based activities (26%) than in operational tasks (16%);

The most common use cases include order management (14%), demand forecasting and material replenishment (14%), and supplier monitoring (10%);
In operational contexts, AI is mainly used in warehouse operations (12%) and transport (7%);
81% of companies adopting AI report significant benefits, with average satisfaction at 7.7/10—improvements include service quality, process performance, productivity, cost reduction and sustainability;
Only 11% use AI to replace human labour, while 24% employ it to augment human capabilities.

AI adoption is also rising among logistics service providers: from today’s 24%, uptake is expected to reach 69% within three years, with heavier use in office-based tasks (22%) than in operational ones (13%).

Capabilities and AI Implementation Paths

AI is a broad concept encompassing multiple technologies. According to the research results, startups developing AI solutions for logistics are mainly focused on:

Learning (53%)
Natural Language Processing (30%)
Computer Vision (21%)
Robotics (19%)
Automated Reasoning (17%)

An AI system can perceive its environment, interpret data and information, and decide actions to achieve specific goals. The main capabilities identified in the Total Turing Test include Computer Vision, NLP, Robotics, Learning, Automated Reasoning and Knowledge Representation.
Implementation pathways in logistics processes can be grouped into three categories:

Embedded AI: integrated into existing software
AI-native systems: designed from the ground up with AI capabilities
Custom AI: developed to meet specific needs

Four critical success factors emerge for AI deployment: data quality and availability (7.7/10), IT resources (7.7/10), propensity to adopt new technologies (7.7/10) and competencies (7.6/10).
The overall picture confirms that AI is the natural evolution of the digital transformation journey that logistics began several years ago.

Real-World Applications: The Campari Case

Lorenzo Faggioli, Italian Warehouses Plant Manager Campari Group, illustrated the results achieved through the adoption of Zucchetti’s Yard Management System Replica, showing how the integration of artificial intelligence with human expertise is significantly transforming the Novi Ligure facility—an area of 200.000 m² handling around 100 inbound and outbound vehicles per day.

The benefits are substantial: at least 15 minutes saved per operation, improved safety as drivers remain in their vehicles, full traceability, enhanced productivity at the gate, legal compliance and full digitalisation of the process. Next steps aim to make the system increasingly autonomous and extend it to other plants.

The conference confirmed that Artificial Intelligence is now firmly established within Italian logistics, used by both client companies and service providers. AI adoption is not just about deploying technology—it requires clear governance, specialised skills and reliable data. The evidence and experiences shared highlight AI as a tangible tool for improving efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability, representing the natural progression of a sector that, through digitalisation and innovation, looks to the future with confidence.

How Human and Artificial Intelligence Can Drive the Transformation of the Logistics Sector

A Sector on the Rise

AI: A Concrete Reality

AI adoption is also rising among logistics service providers: from today’s 24%, uptake is expected to reach 69% within three years, with heavier use in office-based tasks (22%) than in operational ones (13%).

“The research confirms the sector’s vitality and the need to combine human and artificial intelligence. AI is not just technology: it requires corporate governance, adequate skills and high-quality data.”

Damiano Frosi

Capabilities and AI Implementation Paths

Real-World Applications: The Campari Case

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