In Dortmund, the “Future Congress Logistics – 43rd Dortmund Talks” began. More than 350 participants from science and industry will spend two days addressing the core topics of artificial intelligence (AI), resilience and sustainability. Under the motto “With AI-based logistics, reclaim simplicity” the leadership of the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML opened the event.
Institute director Prof. Alice Kirchheim demonstrates in her lecture how processes in logistics can be simplified with the help of generative AI, and calls for leveraging the technology's potentials together.
"It is time for all of us to jointly harness
the potentials of generative AI," Kirchheim appealed.
Subsequently, representatives from Knapp, Körber Supply Chain and the Duvenbeck Group provide impulses and discuss in a round the question “Is AI indispensable nowadays?”.
Logistics in Spaceflight: Technological Innovation Reduces Dependencies
During the remainder of the program, experts from The Exploration Company, OHB and Acatech discuss the role of logistics in spaceflight. Fraunhofer IML director Prof. Michael Henke emphasizes that technological innovation and its transfer are necessary.
„Only technological innovation and its transfer can keep Europe from too great dependencies and create a chance for sovereignty. Logistics research must seize
the opportunity to close gaps with low-threshold, terrestrially functioning solutions and to support the building of Space Logistics“, said Henke.
Transport Logistics: Perspectives on AI in Transport
Subsequently followed the topic block “Just do it – making transport logistics future-proof with AI.” Researchers present the platform “Omnistics,” which offers companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, AI building blocks for practical use.
"Especially for companies that deal daily with complex supply chains and tight margins, AI is a key lever to streamline processes and make their own operations future-proof. Those who set the course now will, in the
long term, benefit from more accurate forecasts, lower effort and higher customer satisfaction rates – and thereby prevail in a highly competitive market," said Prof. Uwe Clausen, director of Fraunhofer IML.
Together with logistics practitioners, Clausen discusses the prospects of artificial intelligence in transport.
Start-ups in the “Digital Logistics Award”
That evening seven start-ups compete in the competition for the “Digital Logistics Award,” one of the industry’s most highly endowed prizes. The second congress day on September 10 offers parallel sequences with impulses, workshops and discussions on the focus topics AI, resilience, sustainability and research in collaboration.
