Closing the AI Leadership Gap in Logistics

Executive Summary

In November 2025, ORTEC conducted a comprehensive survey of over 2,000 transportation, logistics, and supply chain executives across North America and Europe. Our objective was to assess the state of adoption for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in the logistics sector, highlighting both successes and persistent challenges.

The findings reveal a sobering truth: while AI’s potential is largely understood and increasingly embraced in theory, actual deployment and impact remain fragmented. Nearly one-third (30%) of logistics leaders report minimal or no direct engagement from senior leadership in AI/ML strategy, creating a substantial leadership gap. Leadership disengagement is slowing transformation, leaving organizations with untapped opportunities for efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness.

Key Findings from the Survey

1. Leadership Disengagement

• 30% lack direct leadership engagement in AI/ML projects.
• Without this engagement, AI adoption stagnates, limiting operational impact.

2. Limited Integration

• 54% use AI/ML only in select operations, affecting just 10–30% of workflows.
• Only 15.5% achieved extensive integration across processes.

3. Scalability Challenges

• 70% struggle with balancing in-house development and vendor solutions.
• 22.2% see enterprise-wide adoption as aspirational rather than achievable.
• Strong reliance on human expertise remains, with AI seen as complementary rather than a replacement.

4. Emerging Agentic AI Opportunities

• 42% are not yet exploring Agentic AI.
• Early adopters see high potential for Fuel & mileage optimization (30.4%), Operational resilience (21.7%), and Improved data quality (20.3%)
• Integration costs (32.4%), model explainability (25.6%), and data quality (21.7%) are primary hurdles.

5. Common Barriers to AI Adoption

• Lack of in-house expertise (22.7%)
• Unclear ROI (20.8%)
• High integration complexity (32.4%), keeping initiatives in “pilot mode” far too long.

The Leadership Gap in AI Transformation

Leadership commitment is a critical success factor in deploying AI and ML. When executives are disengaged:

• Strategic alignment falters.
• Funding and resources are delayed or misallocated.
• Cross-departmental cooperation suffers.
• Cultural resistance persists, slowing technology uptake.

ORTEC’s survey data underscores a clear correlation: organizations with active senior leadership involvement report faster deployment timelines, greater cross-functional adoption, and higher ROI from AI/ML projects.

ORTEC Drives Measurable Impact

ORTEC’s approach begins with strategic engagement at the executive level. We transform AI from a siloed experimental technology into a core, enterprise-wide capability.

Our methodology addresses adoption head-on by delivering:

• Strategic Alignment: Ensure every AI initiative directly supports overarching organizational goals.
• Integrated Technology: Embed AI seamlessly into planning, routing, scheduling, and execution systems.
• ROI-Driven Adoption: Start with pilots that deliver measurable gains, expanding toward full-scale rollout.
• Scalable Architecture: Solutions built to grow across departments, geographies, and operational complexities.
• Expert Partnership: Continuous guidance from optimization specialists with industry-specific know-how.

Scaling AI Impact: From Pockets to Processes

Our findings reveal that most organizations have fragmented AI deployment, limiting impact. ORTEC’s proven transformation frameworks unify these “pockets” into coherent processes that deliver measurable, repeatable value.

Benefits of ORTEC’s End-to-End Approach:

• Comprehensive optimization: from route planning to resource allocation.
• Integration with existing ERP, WMS, and TMS systems.
• Empowerment of all departments with AI-driven insights.
• Blending algorithmic precision with critical human decision-making.

Agentic AI: Preparing for 2026

Agentic AI is the next leap in logistics technology, enabling autonomous decision-making in areas such as:

• First- and final-mile route scheduling (35.3%)
• Global supply chain network design (20.3%)

While optimism is high, there are significant adoption barriers. ORTEC mitigates these through:

• Custom AI integration with minimal disruption.
• ROI measurement frameworks aligning adoption with bottom-line impact.
• Peer-proven implementation strategies.
• Resilience-focused design for adaptability in volatile markets.
• Scalability for future enterprise-wide use.

Turning Barriers into Breakthroughs

Organizations often remain stuck in pilot phases due to:

• Lack of expertise.
• Difficulty proving ROI.
• Integration complexity.

ORTEC’s risk-mitigation approach begins with small-scale, strategic pilots designed to:

• Deliver fast, measurable results.
• Fit seamlessly into current workflows.
• Provide robust analytics for confident decision-making.
• Establish a clear path to scaling across the business.

Conclusion

The AI leadership gap is real, measurable, and costly for logistics organizations. With structured engagement from senior executives, targeted pilot programs, and scalable integration frameworks, logistics companies can close this gap, transform operations, and gain sustained competitive advantage.

ORTEC is uniquely positioned to help bridge that gap, pairing cutting-edge analytics and optimization with executive collaboration and a phased roadmap to results.

Recommended Next Steps

1. Engage Leadership Now ... Involve executives early for strategic alignment.

2. Start Targeted Pilots ... Deliver measurable ROI before enterprise rollout.

3. Integrate Seamlessly ... Fit AI solutions into existing operational systems.

4. Scale Confidently ... Build on proven wins toward organization-wide transformation.