AI and Freight in 2025: Breakthroughs and Deployments, Plus a Glance Toward 2026

2025 saw Artificial Intelligence (AI) in freight tech shift from experimental deployments to scalable, real-world implementations that augmented rather than replaced human planners, drivers, and operations teams. Across the sector, freight forwarders, shippers, and carriers alike can now take advantage of AI-enabled visibility platforms, route optimization engines, and automated document processing tools that deliver measurable improvements in cycle times, cost efficiency, and sustainability.

This past year also gave us glimpses of significant developments in store for 2026: autonomous trucking operations expanding beyond isolated corridors, fleets of AI agents scaling up at leading logistics providers, and generative AI transforming unstructured data (like emails, phone calls, and PDFs) into actionable insights. Looking forward, 2026 promises to deliver broader commercial deployments, deeper integrations, and a continuing focus on human-in-the-loop (HITL) safety models.

AI & Freight: Breakthroughs and Milestones of 2025

AI agents found their way into every aspect of logistics technology

Embedded AI agents were one of the most visible breakthroughs of the year. AI agents, also known as Agentic AI, are artificial intelligence systems that can make decisions, set goals, and carry out complex logic sequences with minimal human input. These specialized agents can react in real-time to the ever-evolving landscape of logistics, and this year found their way into freight workflows up and down the supply chain. AI agents are now handling the high-volume, easily repeatable tasks like freight classification, carrier calls, and shipment status updates in several prominent platforms. For example, C.H. Robinson deployed a fleet of more than 30 AI agents across its global network, automating over 3 million tasks.

Just one of these agents, the Quoting Agent, delivered customer-specific price quotes in a mere 32 seconds and processed over a million quotes. Another agent, the Orders Agent, reads and interprets emailed tenders (including attachments) and builds complete orders in approximately 90 seconds. The Orders Agent can process 5,500 truckload orders a day and save ~600 hours of labor in the process. 

Unstructured data transformed into actionable insights

The next breakthrough of 2025 was in AI’s ability to convert unstructured data—everything from voicemails to email threads to PDF invoices—into clean, actionable information for real-time decision-making. In September alone, one of C.H. Robinson’s AI agents captured 318,000 freight tracking updates from a single category of phone call. This previously invisible data can now flow to another agent that uses it to update the company’s platform, powering more accurate ETAs and optimizing customer deliveries.

A technology known as Natural Language Processing, or NLP, is allowing Flexport’s AI Insights Builder to parse queries from operations managers—things like, “show me every order received from our Amazon storefront last month”—and use them to generate real-time charts, tables, and graphs without the need for technical or data science skills. This technology is leading to faster approvals, shorter tender cycles, and more accurate audit trails thanks to improved data consistency.

Accelerated real-time visibility and ecosystem development

AI-driven visibility platforms evolved beyond passive tracking tools to become proactive disruption management systems. AI-enabled ETAs now refresh in real time with integrated weather data, traffic conditions, port congestion reports, and vessel schedules. Automated alerts guide planners and customers through disruptions before delays have a chance to cascade.

Trimble introduced AI-powered dispatch optimization in November, featuring embedded AI agents and workflows across seven distinct modules, streamlining the end-to-end transportation operations cycle. Additionally, progress was made by visibility providers like FourKites and Project44, who expanded their AI-powered geofencing abilities, anomaly detection, and predictive ETA capabilities. These updates enabled brokers to offer increased transparency without changing TMS vendors. This level of proactive disruption management shifted logistics from reactive firefighting to a more resilient, pre-emptive form of planning, reducing service failures and improving customer communications.

Demand forecasting and capacity planning got smarter

AI-assisted combinations of demand data and carrier capacity information enabled shippers to optimize tendering, mode selection, and load consolidation, resulting in fewer re-bids and more stable service levels. SEKO Logistics noted that AI is transforming freight forecasting by helping to identify seasonal trends and predict future shipping volumes, allowing forwarders to better manage capacity and minimize disruptions due to booking mishaps and other errors.

Microsoft research this year indicated that AI-enabled innovations could reduce logistics costs by 15%, optimize inventory levels by 35%, and boost service levels by nearly 65%. This year, operators achieved more stable service levels, lowered tender rejection rates, and improved cost efficiency through the smarter capacity allocation enabled by these AI-enabled technologies.

Safety, compliance, and risk management gained AI-driven foundations

AI-backed safety checks and regulatory workflow automation supported both human-operated and autonomous freight segments, reducing compliance bottlenecks and embedding safety into daily operations. Telematics systems, powered by AI combined with computer vision, monitor driver behavior, detect distractions and drowsiness, and provide real-time alerts to drivers and operators. Meanwhile, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and AI analytics simulate potential failure scenarios, improving system reliability and lowering repair downtime and costs.

For autonomous operations, companies like Kodiak, Aurora, and Waymo Via all developed more fully-fledged safety cases and regulatory alignment frameworks. These frameworks retained HITL oversight where necessary, allowing compliance to become embedded in their workflows, reducing last-minute scrambles, fines, and operational delays.

Notable Product Releases of 2025

Freight classification and document processing tools

Two notable examples are C.H. Robinson’s LTL freight classification agent that can classify freight in three seconds (after training). That’s down from a manual process of more than 10 minutes on average. Next is Flexport’s AI & Customs automation tools, which achieved an average of 20-40% higher returns on duty drawback claims when compared to traditional manual tools.

AI agents embedded inside TMS and ERP systems

As already mentioned, vendors spent a good amount of time in 2025 embedding AI agents inside their existing workflows, with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems leading the way. Trimble unveiled their AI-powered TMS in November, featuring seven modules, each with dedicated AI agents embedded to streamline order acceptance, load building, planning, fleet readiness, and live tracking functions.

Visibility and predictive analytics enhancements

New analytics platforms fused real-time sensor data, carrier feeds, and weather models to dramatically improve ETA reliability and provide proactive delay warnings. Flexport’s AI-powered predicted delivery dates now integrate live data streams to enhance visibility across their client platform. Providers like Project44 and FourKites advanced their AI-predicted arrival times, weather risk insights, and real-time geofencing automation capabilities. 

Three Big Bets for 2026

1. AI agent fleets will scale across the logistics industry

Leading firms will continue standardizing data interfaces and implementing ongoing model monitoring to ensure reliability at scale. C.H. Robinson is working on “AI agents to help our AI agents,” creating a layered model of automation and continuous workflow improvement. Organizations who are still early in their adoption of AI risk competitive disadvantages as AI-driven decision-making becomes the industry baseline.

2. Autonomous decision-making will become safer with HITL models

In 2025, companies advanced their safety cases and regulatory alignment to guide autonomous initiatives, retaining human oversight where needed. Autonomous trucking developers like Kodiak, Aurora, and Waymo Via are all emphasizing “transfer hub” models that allow seamless handoffs between autonomous and human-driven trucks at the edges of metro areas, creating local driving jobs while automating long-haul segments. Federal regulations expected by 2027 will provide clarity and enable interstate deployment while balancing innovation with safety oversight and workforce support.

3. End-to-end visibility will become the norm

Cross-modal data unification became a strategic priority in 2025, enabling data optimization and better customer experiences. Flexport’s Control Tower now allows users shipping with any carrier or forwarder to track their shipments across networks. Data standardization and system connectivity will accelerate next year. Ocean freight digitization is advancing and integration points between TMS platforms, autonomous systems, and sustainability tracking will continue to multiply.

Practical Tips and Suggestions for Getting Started

Start with high-impact use cases

Identify repetitive, high-volume tasks across your operations (e.g., quoting, customs entry preparation, order creation) and pilot AI agents that specialize in these workflows. Keep your focus on document handling, route optimization, and real-time visibility for the most impact in the least time.

Invest in data quality and interoperability

Prioritize platforms with open APIs, strong governance features, and the ability to integrate across carriers, warehouses, and transport modes. Audit your current data infrastructure for fragmentation, inconsistencies, and data silos. Design your pilots to include cross-functional teams to maximize adoption and minimize push-back by ensuring data flows smoothly across departments.

Promote safe deployment guidelines

This one is aimed at policy makers and researchers: encourage industry-wide standard data formats; and invest in explainability, accountability, and security research tailored to logistics. Participate in industry consortia and standards bodies working on AI governance frameworks.

Bonus: Now is the time to ensure you’re not left behind

As AI technology continues to mature and develop new use cases, the gap between teams who use AI and those who don’t will begin to widen tremendously. Since many vendors are still early stage, they’re better positioned to spend more time with early adopters and truly configure the solution to their needs today.

Reform Is Your Launchpad for a Sustainable Journey Into AI and Freight Forwarding

2025 confirmed that AI is no longer in our distant future, it’s a strategic enabler delivering measurable gains today. From agentic AI automating millions of back-office tasks to autonomous trucks hauling real freight on public highways, the path to broader automation in 2026 is clear.

Reform is here to help you begin your journey, no matter the size of your organization. Our team brings deep logistics expertise and a practical approach to AI transformation to help level the playing field for freight forwarders and customs brokers operating in a landscape often crowded with enterprise-scale players. Reach out to start the conversation and learn how we can help you map your own sustainable, scalable path toward an AI-powered future in freight forwarding.