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Teaming humans with robots delivers better results for warehouse operations than having only robots, but there are opportunities to improve that collaboration in the face of increasing demands for speed and accuracy in e-commerce fulfillment. Studies have shown that having a mix of humans and robots can lead to greater efficiency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness compared with full automation alone, but companies must carefully consider the respective roles that humans and robots should play in warehouse facilities.

AI is revolutionizing supplier negotiations, driven by the need for speed, scalability, and strategic agility in complex supply chains. Initially used for automating low-value tasks, AI can now play a crucial role in a growing number of key procurement decisions. The transition to adopting AI for supplier negotiations should be step by step: from the assisted stage, where AI tools act as copilots but do not replace human decision-making; to semi-autonomous systems, where the systems can accept pre-approved clauses or adjust prices in contracts within set limits, but critical decisions remain under human control; to the fully autonomous stage, where the systems handle negotiations end to end—within guardrails.

The UK SCALE Centre, created in 2024, is a long-term collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Centre for Transportation and Logistics (MIT-CTL).

The Centre aims to work with businesses, academics, policymakers and aspiring supply chain professionals to build fit-for-purpose future supply chains, with a focus on productivity, sustainability and resilience.

Despite advances, developing workplace systems that facilitate AI-human working relationships is still in its early stages. Companies need to invest in systems that enable robots and humans to assume more sophisticated roles gradually.

Cambridge, MA —The MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL) mourns the passing of Frederick Smith, founder and executive chair of FedEx, and honors his enduring legacy as a pioneer of innovation in global logistics and a valued friend to the CTL community.

MIT CTL Research Scientists Drs. Inma Borrella and Maria Jesus Saenz, in collaboration with Dr. Elena Revilla, wrote a case study which has been recognized as the top-selling case in Operations Management at Ivey Publishing for 2024/2025.

How will generative AI aid supply chain practitioners to navigate threats and eliminate risk? MIT Technology Review featured MIT CTL Director of Research Matthias Winkenbach in an article about supply chain resilience in the age of generative AI.

New technologies and approaches are paving the way to more efficient use of AI systems.

The AWESOME award represents a significant commitment by the MIT Supply Chain Management Master’s Program, the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, and AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management, and Education) to encourage students to prepare for and perform successfully in supply chain leadership roles. This fellowship was awarded to two students each year: one from the residential cohort and one from the blended.

The MIT Supply Chain Management Master’s Program has recognized thirty-four exceptional students from nine renowned undergraduate programs specializing in supply chain management and engineering across the United States.

Moving air has become a nuisance for the trucking industry in recent years. A recent industry report estimated that at any given moment, roughly 35% of all trucks on US freeways were empty of goods. For example, a truck driver might secure a load to haul from Long Beach, California, to Chicago, but once they drop off the load, they'll head home with a trailer full of, well, nothing but air.

MIT CTL’s first-ever Emerging Research Showcase brought together early-career researchers and industry leaders at the MIT Museum on March 19, 2025. Organized by Drs. Miguel Rodríguez García and Selene Silvestri, the event served as a platform for researchers to share their work, receive feedback, and foster collaboration between researchers and industry.