AI’s impact on transport: A 2026 Pulse Report Q&A with Trimble’s Michael Kornhauser

A new calendar year is in full swing, and with it, new opportunities sit within closer reach than ever for logistics and transportation. We asked Michael Kornhauser, Trimble Sector Vice President of Transportation & Logistics, for his perspective on some of the primary findings documented in Trimble’s 2026 Transportation Pulse Report to help bring the data to life. 

Looking for more AI-focused commentary from Michael? Check out his recent interview at FreightWaves’ F3: Future of Freight Festival.

Question: While 51% of respondents identified supply chain digitalization as a top priority, the majority expect to automate only 25% or less of their processes by the end of 2025. Why is there such a significant gap between interest and actual implementation, and how can Trimble help businesses overcome these barriers?

Michael Kornhauser: The gap exists because digitalization is often viewed as a massive, all-or-nothing overhaul. In my conversations with customers, the barrier isn't a lack of desire—it’s the complexity of legacy tech stacks and fragmented data. Many companies are sitting on a "data lake" but don't have the tools to turn that raw data into actionable intelligence.

At Trimble, we help businesses bridge this gap by focusing on integration rather than replacement. We build technology that meets the customer where they are today. Whether it’s through route optimization and mapping or web-based digital platforms, we provide the "connective tissue" that allows a carrier or shipper to automate a specific, high-value workflow without needing to rebuild their entire IT infrastructure from scratch.

Question: Carriers and 3PLs rank artificial intelligence (AI) as the second biggest trend for 2026. Based on the report, where do you see AI making the most immediate "real-world" impact on operational efficiency rather than just being a futuristic concept?

Michael Kornhauser: I’m a big proponent of what AI can do for this industry right now. The most immediate impact isn't "robots driving trucks"; it’s in predictive analytics and decision-making support. For example, we recently unveiled a variety of AI-powered agents and workflows–including automated order intake in TMW.Suite TMS and automated roadside breakdown assistance in TMT Road Call–all of which are designed to reduce the manual workload for dispatchers.

AI allows us to process thousands of variables—weather, traffic, hours of service (HOS)—to find the most efficient path. It’s about taking the guesswork out of asset utilization. When we can use machine learning (ML) to predict a breakdown before it happens or suggest a better route in real-time, that is a practical, immediate win for operational efficiency.

Question: Shippers are laser-focused on cost reduction (76%), while carriers are prioritizing market expansion (58%). How can AI-powered solutions help facilitate a "win-win" environment where both parties meet these seemingly opposing goals?

Michael Kornhauser: These goals would only conflict if you’re looking at a zero-sum game. AI-powered solutions find hidden efficiencies that benefit both sides. For a shipper, cost reduction often comes down to refining internal processes like procurement, and reducing empty miles. For a carrier, market expansion requires finding the right loads in the right lanes at the right time — not for shippers to spend more.

AI-powered tools like Trimble Autonomous Procurement analyze market intelligence to match capacity with demand more accurately. This transparency helps shippers get competitive buying rates while allowing carriers to maximize their asset utilization and reduce idle time. So when the system is optimized, everyone’s margins improve.

Question: Economic conditions and geopolitical events were cited as the top factors shaping 2026. How can businesses build the "resiliency" mentioned in the report as a top priority to handle these external shocks?

Michael Kornhauser: Resiliency is the ability to react quickly when things go wrong. If a major freight lane is suddenly closed due to a geopolitical event, you can't wait three days for a manual reroute. Our AI-powered workflows provide real-time visibility and automated routing adjustments.

Our customers can simulate different "what-if" scenarios using data analytics and technology integrations, gaining visibility of how a spike in fuel costs or a sudden labor shortage will impact their landed cost. As we recently showed at Insight, our solutions are increasingly featuring AI-powered workflows and automations designed to give customers confidence as they navigate a complex market. And that comes from having the data to make a move while your competitors are still trying to figure out what happened.

Question: With cost control being a top priority , the industry is looking at ways to eliminate repetitive, manual tasks. In your view, which specific area of the supply chain is most "ripe" for a transition to a no-touch order process facilitated by AI?

Michael Kornhauser: A no-touch order process is the natural next step for the freight tender and transport allocation process. We’re no longer accepting the idea that a person should spend their time manually emailing 15 carriers to find a truck for a routine load, and instead prioritising their skills for projects requiring strategic thought.

AI can handle the transport criteria —checking carrier profiling, verifying rates and confirming capacity—automatically. This allows the planners and dispatchers to focus on the 5% of "exception" loads that actually require human problem-solving, rather than the 95% that could be automated.

Question: The report hints at a shift in how freight is sourced. Given the rise of dynamic procurement tools like Trimble Freight Marketplace and Autonomous Procurement, are we seeing the end of traditional, rigid fixed-price contracts?

Michael Kornhauser: I don't think contract freight is going away entirely—stability is still valuable—but the "rigid" nature of it is definitely changing. We’re moving toward a hybrid model. The rise of spot pricing and dynamic freight exchanges has taught the industry that being locked into a year-long rate that doesn't reflect market reality is a risk.

Tools like Freight Marketplace allow for a more agile approach to procurement. You might have a core "contracted carrier" base, but you supplement it with autonomous procurement that adjusts in real-time to market demand. It’s about being practical: why stick to a rigid contract when an AI-driven marketplace can give you a better rate and more reliable capacity today? Our primary goal is to ensure that our customers are able to achieve optimum efficiency, wherever the technology might take us.

For more practical insights into how AI-driven workflows and automation are closing the gap between industry intent and operational reality, read our Transportation Pulse Report 2026.

Or, contact our team to discuss how our AI solutions can evolve your operations and prepare you for what comes next.