Freight News, Logistics


AI is not a threat to logistics jobs

[ November 12, 2025   //   ]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have a significant role to play in the logistics careers of the future and is not a threat to jobs, but cultural change will be as important as technological change to maximise the opportunities, said experts during a round table discussion.

The session, on Upskilling and Reskilling in Logistics organised by Generation Logistics, an industry awareness programme managed by business group Logistics UK, and the Learning and Work Institute took place during Get the Nation Learning Week on 3–7 November. It brought together industry leaders, training providers and policymakers to explore the industry’s current and future skills needs, as well as debating barriers to workforce development, innovative training models for modern operations and policy recommendations to enable scalable, sustainable learning across the sector. 

Chairing the discussion, programme director for Generation Logistics and head of skills policy at Logistics UK, Bethany Windsor, said: “The logistics sector puts a lot of focus on attracting people into the industry, but not nearly enough on how we retain and help them progress through ongoing upskilling and reskilling. That’s where employers can make the biggest and most lasting difference, certainly in the short term.” 

“During discussions, it became clear that while AI will change the jobs people are doing, it will not necessarily replace them,” continued Windsor. “Many of today’s jobs simply did not exist a few years ago and AI presents a great opportunity for upskilling as the technology becomes more critical for logistics operators. 

“Barriers to upskilling are well known: the cost and time pressures of releasing staff for training, fragmented provision for SMEs, and a funding system that is not always easy to access and that doesn’t flex for short or modular upskilling.   

“We know from international evidence, including the recent Learning and Work Institute report funded by the Nuffield Foundation, that success comes when training is employer-led, co-designed and easy to access.  

“For logistics, that means building sector partnerships, expanding modular and on-the-job learning, and making funding simpler and more flexible, so businesses can respond quickly to change.  

“If the sector can get that right, we’ll not only solve today’s shortages, but also build a workforce ready for the digital, data-driven and low-carbon logistics of, ensuring the UK remains a global leader in efficient, innovative supply chains.” 

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