Will AI replace Logisticians?

AI can do 76% of the work Logisticians do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 2 of their 22 tasks, while 15 more are ready but barely used so far. 5 still need a person.

AI is already doing this2 · 10% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Develop an understanding of customers' needs and take actions to ensure that such needs are met.Mostly automated5% of time
  • Develop and implement technical project management tools, such as plans, schedules, and responsibility and compliance matrices.Mostly automated5% of time

AI could do this next15 · 67% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Direct availability and allocation of materials, supplies, and finished products.10% of time
  • Direct team activities, establishing task priorities, scheduling and tracking work assignments, providing guidance, and ensuring the availability of resources.7% of time
  • Redesign the movement of goods to maximize value and minimize costs.7% of time
  • Report project plans, progress, and results.6% of time
  • Provide project management services, including the provision and analysis of technical data.6% of time
  • Explain proposed solutions to customers, management, or other interested parties through written proposals and oral presentations.5% of time
  • Manage subcontractor activities, reviewing proposals, developing performance specifications, and serving as liaisons between subcontractors and organizations.5% of time
  • Develop proposals that include documentation for estimates.4% of time
  • Plan, organize, and execute logistics support activities, such as maintenance planning, repair analysis, and test equipment recommendations.4% of time
  • Stay informed of logistics technology advances and apply appropriate technology to improve logistics processes.4% of time
  • Manage the logistical aspects of product life cycles, including coordination or provisioning of samples, and the minimization of obsolescence.4% of time
  • Direct and support the compilation and analysis of technical source data necessary for product development.2% of time
  • Perform system lifecycle cost analysis and develop component studies.2% of time
  • Participate in the assessment and review of design alternatives and design change proposal impacts.1% of time
  • Support the development of training materials and technical manuals.1% of time

Still needs a person5 · 24% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Collaborate with other departments as necessary to meet customer requirements, to take advantage of sales opportunities or, in the case of shortages, to minimize negative impacts on a business.8% of time
  • Maintain and develop positive business relationships with a customer's key personnel involved in, or directly relevant to, a logistics activity.6% of time
  • Review logistics performance with customers against targets, benchmarks, and service agreements.6% of time
  • Perform managerial duties such as hiring and training employees and overseeing facility needs or requirements.2% of time
  • Protect and control proprietary materials.1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. Real use is still behind at 8 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 2 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 15 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Logistics Engineers91%Logistics Analysts88%Project Management Specialists83%Business Continuity Planners75%Labor Relations Specialists74%Security Management Specialists74%

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