With the turning of the year, the World Economic Forum has compiled it’s list of concerns for what will be effecting the fiscal stability of the world for the rest of the year. While there were a number of items listed as to what will be impacting the global economy, perhaps the main one was the concern over technology.

Technology has been advancing at a rapid pace over the past few years

Technology has been advancing at a rapid pace over the past few years, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Most of it has been geared towards automation, reducing the need for human interaction and therefore, the need for human labor, according to the WEF study. Yet even as floor manufacturers, logistics planning, and truck drivers are turning towards technology, some of them don’t share the same opinion as the WEF.

Most of it has been geared towards automation, reducing the need for human interaction

Technology can Invigorate the Industry

While the WEF’s 2017 report had a lot of grim tidings, there are some who hold a more optimistic view of what’s in store for our future. Accenture’s Technology Vision 2017, for example, shows the potential positive effect that technology will have on the industry over the course of the year and beyond.

Positive effect that technology will have on the industry

“Accenture polled more than 5,400 business and information technology (IT) executives worldwide for its report and nearly nine in 10 respondents (86%) said that while “individual technologies” are rapidly advancing, it is the multiplier effect of these technologies that is creating innovation breakthroughs – and those “breakthroughs” will aid human workers more than anything else,” according to an article from Fleet Owner.

Biggest advances in technology are the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and big data analytics

Among the biggest advances in technology are the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and big data analytics, all of which are designed with the goal of learning like people in order to better serve the wants and needs of people in the industry.

“The pace of technology change is breathtaking, bringing about the biggest advancements since the dawn of the information age,” says Paul Daugherty, the chief technology & innovation officer for Accenture. “As technology transforms the way we work and live, it raises important societal challenges and creates new opportunities. Ultimately, people are in control of creating the changes that will affect our lives, and we’re optimistic that responsive and responsible leaders will ensure the positive impact of new technologies.” he added.

Technology is Just a Tool: People Make it Work

That is ultimately the take away. Sure, technology is becoming more advanced and capable of handling much more complex tasks than ever before, but it’s the people that are the driving force behind it. For companies that are focusing on the people centric side of business, it’s working in their favor. New technology allows for people in the trucking industry to focus more on the relations side of the business, leaving the grunt analytics and metrics to the technology that can do it best.

It’s the people that are the driving force behind it

This means stronger relationships between business partners and a better, more efficient result overall. In short, technology is becoming more advanced, but there will always be the need for the human element to make it all work.

It’s the people who are and will continue to be the most vital part of the trucking industry.