GERMANY | AI has moved beyond its role as a digital assistant and has begun to take action across supply chains, according to the new DHL Logistics Trend Radar 8.0.
The report found that advances in AI, robotics, and automation have transformed not only logistics operations, but also the workforce itself.
As intelligent systems become increasingly capable of planning, deciding and acting autonomously, organisations must rethink skills, safety, governance and employee experience while building more resilient and sustainable supply chains.
“Supply chains are changing faster than ever as AI and workforce trends increasingly influence one another,” said Katja Busch, Chief Commercial Officer, DHL and Head of DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation.
“The organisations that succeed will be those that understand these shifts early and are able to turn them into practical advantages for their business and their people. The Trend Radar helps them focus on the developments that will matter most.”
AI becomes an operating layer across logistics
AI in logistics has evolved from assistance to autonomy. One of the Logistics Trend Radar 8.0's most significant findings was the emergence of Agentic AI, which the report identifies as one of its most impactful trends.
Unlike earlier generations of AI that primarily respond to prompts or analyse information, Agentic AI can autonomously plan, decide, and act toward defined goals, enabling closer collaboration between intelligent technologies and human expertise.
Alongside this development, AI Analytics has enabled organisations to uncover patterns, anticipate disruptions, forecast outcomes, and recommend actions at unprecedented speed and scale.
These developments have created increasingly autonomous and adaptive supply chains, enabling tasks such as anticipating inventory shortages, rerouting shipments around disruptions, and dynamically adjusting transport capacity in real time.
The Radar also introduced new trends that reflect AI's influence beyond operational efficiency. AI Commerce has transformed how consumers and businesses discover and purchase products, Compute Economy highlighted the strategic importance of computing infrastructure and data centre logistics, while Humanoids represent an emerging, longer-term trend that could redefine AI-enabled automation in physical environments.
These signal further transformation across digital and physical supply chains, from AI-assisted purchasing journeys to AI-enabled automation in warehouses.
“Until now, AI has helped people perform tasks more efficiently. The next chapter is about action,” said Klaus Dohrmann, Vice President of Innovation and Trend Research, DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation.
“We're entering an era of autonomous and physical AI, where intelligent systems can actively perceive the world, navigate complex environments, and make decisions with minimal human intervention.”
The future of logistics remains a people business
The Logistics Trend Radar 8.0 placed a major focus on how work has changed as AI, automation, and robotics become increasingly integrated into logistics operations.
Technologies such as wearable sensors, remote operations, collaborative robotics, and AI-powered workplace assistants have helped create safer, more productive, and more engaging work environments. By reducing repetitive tasks and supporting day-to-day decision-making, these technologies allow employees to focus on higher-value activities such as problem-solving, customer service, and operational oversight.
Employee Belonging and the Augmented Workplace also emerged as key trends as employees increasingly work alongside AI assistants, collaborative robots, and digital tools. These technologies will reshape hundreds of roles across frontline operations, technical professions, and knowledge-based functions, creating demand for new skills and new ways of working.
For business leaders, the challenge is no longer simply introducing new technologies, but ensuring employees have the skills, confidence, and support to use them effectively.
Thomas Ogilvie, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labour Director at DHL Group, said technology has transformed the way we work, but people remain the driving force behind every successful supply chain.
“We're already seeing AI assistants, wearable devices, and collaborative robots helping employees work more safely, reduce repetitive work, and focus on higher-value tasks,” said Ogilvie.
“The future of logistics will not be defined by human versus AI, but by how effectively organisations combine human expertise with increasingly capable technologies.”
Responsible AI becomes a business imperative
As AI systems take on more autonomous responsibilities, organisations must deploy them responsibly, securely, and transparently. The report highlighted trends including AI Ethics and Cybersecurity 2.0, which help organisations balance innovation with governance, resilience, and security.
As intelligent systems become increasingly embedded in critical operations such as demand forecasting, inventory planning, and transport decision-making, robust safeguards and human oversight are becoming as important as the technologies themselves.
Sustainability remains a long-term business priority
As in previous editions, sustainability has remained a core driver of logistics innovation. Trends such as Decarbonisation, Sustainable Fuels, Circularity, Heavy Vehicle Electrification, and Light Vehicle Electrification demonstrate how organisations have deployed electric delivery fleets, scaled alternative fuels, and redesigned supply chains for reuse and resource efficiency while pursuing lower-carbon operations.
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