President ’ s Message
“ Hey Siri , take me to Whole Foods .” “ Alexa , play my notifications .”
Does this sound familiar ? It should . The use of AI in our everyday lives is so common that most of us don ’ t give it a second thought . And for those who think this is a recent development , think again . The birth of AI as a formal field happened in the 1950s . I know . I asked Chat GPT .
Just as Siri , Alexa and Chat GTP have wormed their way into our personal lives , so it is that AI has become an integral part of the last-mile . CLDA members use AI to find top talent , market new services , onboard employees and ICs , solve problems in the field , calculate commissions for ICs , find the most cost-effective routes , dispatch the most appropriate drivers and even respond to RFPs .
In this issue , you ’ ll get a look at AI ’ s use in our world today and predictions about where it can take your business tomorrow . Make sure you check out :
• How AI is Transforming the Last-Mile – How recent advancements in technology have pushed AI into the mainstream and improved delivery efficiency and sustainability on page 12
• AI as a Tool for Change – A look at how one of our members , Express Errands & Courier , weaves AI into every phase of its business on page 16
• The Tech Take on AI in the Last Mile – Where two of the industry ’ s technology players look at the future of AI in the final-mile on page 20
• Bringing in the Talent You Need with AI as Your Partner – How NOW Courier uses AI to find , screen , onboard and support the people they need to continue the company ’ s dramatic growth on page 34
I want to end this letter on a personal note . This is my last letter to you as your president . At the Final Mile Forum 2024 , my term will expire , and I will pass the gavel to our new president , Joel Pinsky . Please share your support , ideas , and creativity with him .
I ’ ll still be a part of the board and the association . This organization will always be a part of my professional and personal life . I want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement . During my term , we took on a worldwide pandemic , experienced consolidation that changed the face of this industry , and worked around a supply chain that ’ s been broken and repaired . It ’ s been one heck of a ride , and I thank every one of you who ’ s made it one of the most memorable experiences of my life .
Onward , Jason Burns , Sr President
PS . No chatbots were harmed in the creation of this letter .
winter 2024 I customized logistics & delivery Magazine 5