How Penske Logistics blends AI and associate expertise to build a smarter supply chain

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming supply chain operations, driving new efficiencies, uncovering actionable insights and accelerating decision-making to deliver more value and improve service. Penske Logistics is deploying AI solutions across supply chain management, transportation, truckload operations and warehousing to tackle specific logistics use cases.

Increase Visibility Across the Network

AI is enabling us to move from reactive execution to predictive operations,” said Vish LK, vice president, financial administration at Penske Logistics who also leads AI strategy and industry outreach for the company. “Our customers are benefiting from better forecasting, improved network coordination and faster response to exceptions,” he added.

The result is a supply chain that's not only more efficient but also more adaptable to change.

Keep Associates in the Process

Penske’s AI strategy is built around an associate-in-the-loop model, where AI provides insights and recommendations while experienced associates and teams apply judgment and context to decisions.

“This approach ensures that customers benefit from advanced analytics and automation without losing accountability, because there's always an associate overseeing what's happening,” LK said. “There is flexibility and service excellence that come from associate expertise, but at the same time, there's speed and accuracy that come from AI.”

Scaling AI Responsibly

New AI capabilities are developing quickly, and Penske is focused on scaling solutions responsibly. “We want to make sure we integrate it deeply into operations and turn it into a lasting competitive advantage, both for our customers and ourselves,” he said. We look at any opportunity through the lens of ‘can this be implemented across the enterprise? Or can we build, buy or partner with a platform for this opportunity?’

LK expects the next phase of AI to be focused on execution-level intelligence. “As we continue to adopt AI, our focus remains unchanged,” he said. “We want to make sure we are supporting our associates, delivering value to our customers, and building a company that's strong today and well positioned for the future."

He also emphasized that AI will support experienced supply chain professionals. “Long-term AI success is built on good data, strong fundamentals, disciplined execution and respect for our people,” he said. “AI is the next step in that journey – not a replacement for experienced judgment, but a tool that empowers our associates to work more effectively.”

As AI continues to reshape the logistics landscape, Penske is demonstrating that the most powerful supply chains are built at the intersection of advanced technology and human expertise. By keeping associates in control, scaling responsibly and staying focused on delivering measurable customer value, Penske is not just adopting AI – it’s defining what intelligent, people-centered logistics looks like for the future.

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Discover how we can help your organization leverage AI-driven insights and associate expertise to improve visibility, efficiency and adaptability across your entire supply chain. Contact us to start the conversation.

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