How does automation manifest in logistics?
The digital revolution is transforming logistics from the ground up, covering both everyday work in warehouses and the management of global supply chains. Technologies are evolving simultaneously in many areas, allowing machines and intelligent IT systems to take over more and more repetitive tasks. This makes processes faster and less prone to errors, while the entire flow of goods becomes more transparent and easier to monitor.
Blockchain – data certainty and digital shipment trace
The more complex international supply chains become, the harder it is to maintain clarity and security in information flow. The growing number of participants in the process and the necessity of crossing multiple borders mean that the traditional document control system is no longer sufficient. Blockchain solves this problem by functioning as a shared ledger of all events – independent, distributed, and tamper-resistant. In practice, this means that every stage of transport, from leaving the production facility to reaching the end recipient, is recorded in the system as an immutable entry. Such a model gives participants access only to verified information and minimizes the risk of lost or forged documents.
For globally operating companies, blockchain becomes a way to streamline cooperation and increase transparency in relations with partners. The technology allows moving all paper-based bureaucracy into the digital environment – from waybills, through certificates of origin, to financial settlements. Information enters the system instantly and without intermediaries, speeding up circulation and lowering administrative costs. Thanks to this, every shipment can be tracked in real time, and its compliance with documentation can be confirmed with a single click, without waiting for additional stamps or scanned forms.
AS/RS in modern distribution centers
The most spectacular example of automation in logistics are distribution centers based on AS/RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems). These solutions replace traditional racks and forklift operators, offering much greater capacity and work pace difficult to achieve in traditional settings. The entire system is based on a network of stacker cranes, lifts, and conveyors that operate without interruption and with near-perfect accuracy. Such solutions enable companies – particularly in e-commerce and manufacturing – to handle massive warehouse stocks, reducing order preparation time from several hours to just minutes.
The growing interest in AS/RS is not surprising – these systems lower costs, improve workplace safety, and guarantee precision in order picking. Their advantage also lies in space utilization. They can operate in very narrow aisles and reach heights far beyond standard forklifts, making every corner of a warehouse usable and turning it into a real competitive edge.
Artificial intelligence and automation in economics
The impact of advanced technologies goes beyond improving individual companies and affects mechanisms across the entire economy. In economics and finance, automated systems are taking over analytical tasks of enormous complexity. A good example is capital markets: high-frequency trading algorithms analyze data and execute thousands of trades within microseconds, reacting to price changes faster than humans ever could. Artificial intelligence also supports the creation of predictive models for macroeconomic indicators, such as inflation or GDP growth, using non-traditional data sources – for example, sentiment in social media.
The use of AI in business also extends to the banking sector. Machine learning systems can assess credit risk and detect financial fraud attempts with great precision, significantly outperforming traditional methods. These technologies allow moving away from purely statistical historical approaches toward near real-time analysis of the economy, leading to deeper understanding and more accurate investment decisions.
How do modern technologies support national security?
Automation and artificial intelligence play a growing role in ensuring public safety and defense. In the physical sphere, autonomous systems are used to carry out tasks in environments dangerous for humans. Unmanned aerial vehicles monitor borders, oversee critical infrastructure, or deliver supplies in conflict zones. Ground robots, meanwhile, are deployed for explosive ordnance disposal, minimizing risks for bomb squads.
In the digital sphere, artificial intelligence supports defense against cyberattacks. Algorithms continuously analyze network traffic in government or military systems, identifying unusual patterns that may indicate intrusion attempts. AI-based systems can also process massive volumes of intelligence data, detecting connections and information that human analysts might miss. In this way, technology becomes a tool supporting state protection in both the physical and virtual realms, enhancing preventive capabilities and response speed to threats.
Skills needed in a world dominated by automation
New technologies lift the burden of repetitive tasks from people, but in return they set new expectations – related to data analysis, digital tool operation, and team management. The European Economic Commission emphasizes that real effects come only from combining technological investments with unified standards, strong cybersecurity, and well-prepared employees. It is precisely they who determine whether digital transformation will succeed. And since the pace of technological change keeps accelerating, the question increasingly arises: which skills will provide an edge in the jobs of the future?
Digital fluency and technological knowledge
The modern work environment is technology-driven – the greater the role of algorithms and robots, the more digital fluency matters. This is not about basic office software, but about advanced platforms that manage entire processes. In logistics, these are fleet management systems and intelligent route optimization tools; in economics, financial modeling and market analysis software; in security, threat-tracking and support systems for services. An employee who can read data in dashboards, operate interfaces, and understand the logic of automated devices gains an advantage over those stuck at the basics.
But knowledge alone is not enough. What is most valued is flexibility – the readiness to learn new applications and the willingness to continuously improve. This is what allows people to keep up with the pace of change, whether in order picking, interpreting economic data, or assessing potential security threats.
Reading signals hidden in data
Today, companies and institutions are flooded with streams of information – from shipment details, through economic data, to geopolitical reports. Raw tables and charts mean little without the ability to detect signals and turn them into decisions. Everyday work increasingly depends on interpreting digital traces. The ability to read signals allows predicting supply chain bottlenecks, understanding the effects of commodity price fluctuations, or spotting anomalies that may indicate security threats. Business Intelligence platforms help in this, organizing data and turning them into clear visualizations that make decision-making easier at all levels of the organization.
Communication without barriers
In a world where processes are increasingly run by algorithms, people still need tools to communicate across borders. A shared language acts as a bridge – without it, even the most advanced systems cannot guarantee smooth collaboration. Consider a project conducted simultaneously in Warsaw, Berlin, and Singapore. Data flows instantly thanks to technology, but it is conversation in a common language that ensures decisions are made quickly and without misunderstandings. That is why knowledge of English, and increasingly of a second language, becomes an asset that shortens negotiations, facilitates the implementation of new solutions, and builds trust in international teams.
Paths to experience valued by employers
Studies provide the basics, but the labor market increasingly evaluates how someone performs beyond academic frameworks. Employers look for people who can learn quickly in practice and function effectively in environments full of new technologies. Education is only the beginning. A candidate’s true value lies in the paths they choose to show readiness for work in a demanding, digital environment.
There are plenty of opportunities:
● Participation in implementation projects – working on creating or testing new solutions teaches how theory turns into practice and how cooperation across departments works.
● Internships in international organizations – contact with teams from different countries develops both language skills and the ability to adapt to diverse work cultures.
● Online courses and micro-certificates – short, intensive programs in AI, cybersecurity, or Business Intelligence quickly expand a competence portfolio.
● Simulations and hackathons – events where participants solve real problems under time pressure, showcasing creativity and resilience.
● Technology volunteering – supporting public institutions or NGOs in implementing digital systems provides valuable experience and a tangible social impact.
The new role of humans in a world of machines
Growing automation does not push people aside but changes the nature of their work. Humans increasingly act as coordinators, setting priorities, supervising processes, and responding in situations that require flexibility. Machines provide speed and repeatability, while people contribute contextual sensitivity, creativity, and improvisation skills. This creates a new model of collaboration, resembling a team game where each partner brings different strengths.
In this setup, skills combining technology with communication and complex data understanding take on special importance. These are what allow individuals to thrive in environments where algorithms and international teams function as one organism. Since innovation is developing at a dizzying pace, it is precisely those who can learn alongside technology, develop it, and guide its direction who will set the rhythm of work in the years to come.
Sources:
● https://www.comarch.pl/
● Record of 4 Million Robots in Factories Worldwide – International Federation of Robotics
● Use of artificial intelligence in enterprises - Statistics Explained – Eurostat
● How AI Will Impact Your High-Frequency Trading Clients | Illinois CPA Society
● Sectoral skills priorities for the logistics industry – International Labour Organization
● AI, Drones and the Future of Defense: A Transnational Security Challenge – Kyle Matthews and Marie Lamensch
Article prepared in cooperation with the partner of the service.
Author: Joanna Ważny
3 Stoklosy St
02-787 Warsaw
tel. +48 22 45 72 300
tel. +48 22 45 72 303
English
