AI proficiency a must-have

Training in the logistics industry should move beyond teaching only traditional transport, warehousing, inventory management and customs procedures to helping staff to master artificial intelligence (AI) tools, according to training specialists and managers. “South African supply chain professionals face a unique storm: unpredictable port delays, fluctuating fuel costs and shifting consumer demands. Relying on manual spreadsheets and legacy systems means you’re reacting to disruptions instead of predicting them,” according to a training academy’s website. The needs are identified in the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) strategic plan 2025–2030. It states: “In the forwarding and clearing subsector, automation in warehousing and cargo handling is boosting efficiency, reducing errors and improving demand management.” It recognises that the logistics industry is rapidly adopting AI to improve demand forecasting, route optimisation, warehouse automation, inventory management, predictive maintenance, customs documentation, risk management, supply chain visibility and customer service through AI chatbots. “This technological advancement necessitates that all employees become proficient with technology. To stay relevant and competitive, employees must be upskilled to effectively collaborate with these new technologies,” according to TETA. Rather than being seen as a replacement for logistics professionals, AI should be treated as a tool which supports faster, data-driven decision-making while employees provide operational judgement, customer engagement and regulatory oversight. Modern training should therefore focus on working alongside AI systems rather than competing with them. Courses should integrate AI literacy, AI-assisted decision- making and practical digital skills that enable employees to work effectively with AI technologies while maintaining human oversight. This is particularly important within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), where regional integration, cross-border trade and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are increasing the demand for digitally skilled logistics professionals. Through the training, staff should be able to grasp how AI is utilised across logistics and supply chain activities, utilise machine learning models for demand forecasting and inventory control, analyse routes, optimise transport using AI-based techniques and automate decision-making processes within warehouses and fulfilment operations. Training should emphasise practical workplace applications rather than programming. The good news is that no major investment in hardware or software is needed. It can start with open-source or free no-code applications which run on existing computer systems. Tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Excel AI and Perplexity can speed up the writing of delivery reports, preparing incident reports, summarising transport regulations, drafting customer emails and developing standard operating procedures. ER