Freight Transport Without Delays or Disruptions: Why Isn’t AI in the Driver’s Seat Yet?

At PRIMUM, we solve complex challenges of international freight transport every day. AI is a hot topic today but surrounded by too much hype. To get a clear picture on where we stand on the topic of AI we asked Dennis Halaburda, Deputy Director General of Information Technologies at PRIMUM.

(And yes, that’s Dennis in the photo wearing a “digital suit” — an image generated by a neural network to match the topic of our conversation.)

Dennis: For now, AI is more of an idea for us than a real assistant. Why?

• Data security is the main concern. We are responsible for our clients’ cargo and their information. We can’t take risks.
  

• Accuracy issues. AI models sometimes give outright incorrect answers.
  

• We need our own models. General-purpose AI (like ChatGPT) isn’t a perfect fit for logistics. We need an assistant trained on our own data and connected to our systems: customs, GPS trackers, truck sensors, up-to-date legal information.
  

But the potential is enormous! Imagine an assistant that could:

• Preview every order and estimate the bottom line before dispatching the truck.
  

• Predict delivery time with 90% accuracy, factoring in the driver, traffic, and weather.
  

• Automatically notify the client at the exact moment the change has happened: “Your cargo will arrive an hour late due to snow.”
  

• Remind the operations manager: “This cargo requires special permits—don’t forget!”
  
  The main challenge isn’t AI itself, but our “digital maturity.” For an AI agent to truly automate routine tasks, every process needs to be fully digitized.That’s exactly what we’re working on at PRIMUM: building a powerful and secure digital foundation for the future where technology truly helps people.