When to apply AI in avocado logistics

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already an everyday tool in international logistics; today we have access to solutions capable of answering queries, analyzing information, preparing documents, detecting failures, or even proposing solutions to an operational problem.

For avocado exporters, the question is no longer whether to use AI, but how to use it effectively.

As a perishable product, logistics in the avocado industry require quick and accurate decisions, where a mistake can translate into large economic losses, commercial claims or even regulatory or legal problems; therefore, the key is not to automate the entire process, but to identify which tasks can be delegated to AI and which should remain the responsibility of people.

AI is an excellent and very efficient assistant, but it is not a replacement for human judgment.

It can review large volumes of information in a few seconds, detect inconsistencies, summarize documents, organize background information, and prepare information for a person to make a decision more quickly.

But there is an important difference between helping to decide and deciding.

When a decision can affect compliance with regulations, generate legal liability, compromise a delivery date, or impact the relationship with a client, human judgment remains indispensable.

Where to use AI

There are numerous tasks within an export process where AI can generate significant productivity gains.

For example, you can check that all the necessary documentation for a shipment is complete before sending it, identify inconsistencies between documents, organize shipment information, summarize emails, prepare operational reports, or quickly gather all the background information related to a given container.

It can also help when a logistical disruption occurs, gathering information from various sources and quickly presenting the available alternatives so that the team can make a decision with all the background information on the table.

In these situations, AI allows you to save time and reduce administrative errors without taking unnecessary risks.

Where not to use AI

There are situations where fully automating a process could become a problem.

A common example occurs when there are doubts about the information used for an export. If the AI has to interpret incomplete information, it may "invent" information.

Another problem could occur when there are delays in the logistics chain.

A system may indicate that a ship has sailed based on information received from the shipping company, but that doesn't necessarily mean the exporter's container has been loaded. If an automated response tells the customer that everything is proceeding as scheduled, when in reality the cargo remains at the port, the problem is no longer technological, but commercial.

AI should also not automatically send responses related to claims, damages, compensation, or commercial disputes. A seemingly innocent phrase could be interpreted as an admission of liability before the actual events are known.

AI can become a very valuable ally for exporting companies if used judiciously.

Delegate repetitive tasks, large-volume data analysis, document preparation, and error detection to AI.

But reserve for individuals those decisions that affect commitments to clients, regulatory compliance, itinerary changes, claims, prices, commercial conditions or any exceptional situation.

I propose that you allow Artificial Intelligence to do the heavy lifting of gathering and analyzing information, but always maintain professional judgment when it is necessary to assume responsibility.

Jorge Rosés W.
International Sales Manager
Seemann Trader
jroses@seemanngroup.com