Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has emphasized the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India’s logistics sector, setting a goal to reduce logistics costs by 2% within two years. Speaking at the ‘Revolutionizing Supply Chain with Artificial Intelligence’ conference organized by the Indian Institute of Materials Management in Nagpur, Gadkari highlighted AI’s ability to enhance logistics, packaging, production, and timely delivery, paving the way for efficiency and global competitiveness.
Gadkari remarked that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is on track to becoming the world’s third-largest economy, with AI playing a pivotal role in realizing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). He stressed the need for industries to adopt appropriate technologies, ensure equitable benefits, and prioritize areas such as distribution systems, packaging, and logistics capacity to maintain a competitive edge.
AI, according to Gadkari, is reshaping traditional supply chain models, enabling industries to address global challenges and make data-driven decisions. He noted that integrating AI can significantly reduce the carbon footprint, aligning with sustainable development goals. Additionally, he recognized the role of India’s youth in driving this technological revolution.
The conference brought together experts from logistics, supply chain management, and AI to explore sustainable development through AI-driven innovations. Venkataraman, director of the Indian Institute of Materials Management, Nagpur, highlighted how AI addresses multifaceted challenges in supply chain management. The institute, known for training professionals in materials management, offers specialized courses in logistics and supply chain management at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The two-day event aimed to foster discussions on leveraging AI to build resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chains across industries.
