“The change is here, and we better be ready to embrace it. AI has entered and revolutionised all industries, and air cargo isn’t left behind”

C K Govil, President, Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI) is always known for talking about optimism, innovation, new ideas, new initiatives for the betterment of the industry. Under his presidentship, he brought the same flavour for the 47th ACAAI Annual Convention with the introduction of “Artificial Intelligence” as the theme of the convention. In an exclusive interview with JASLEEN KAUR from APACE DIGITAL CARGO, Govil highlighted the changing landscape of the air cargo industry from traditional freight forwarding to Digital freight forwarding;a futuristic approach, which would be the topic of discussion during the convention.

To begin with, the 47th ACAAI Convention is all set to begin from 23th to 26th Nov, 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. How do you see the response from the fraternity? How do you anticipate the participation?

The response from the industry has been inspiring. People are eagerly looking forward to the Convention and showing their excitement about attending it. Unfortunately, we found ourselves in a position wherein we had to close the doors to many willing members of the industry as we filled the capacity quite early. It shows that ACAAI Conventions have made a difference, and the industry acknowledges and appreciates our efforts.

What would be the key agenda of discussion? What would be focus areas?

The agenda revolves around Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it is changing the industry as we know it. We will talk about Conflict Management by Interest Based Bargaining, the impact of artificial intelligence on logistics service providers, and safety, security, and transparency in air cargo. We will host industry stalwarts and specialists from around the world who will throw light on the significance of AI for our industry and how we can embrace it fully for a better future.

As the theme of the convention says – “AI THE GAME CHANGER – EMBRACING THE INTELLIGENT FUTURE”, how do you see the changing landscape of the air cargo industry from traditional freight forwarding to Digital freight forwarding?

The change is here, and we better be ready to embrace it. AI has entered and revolutionised all industries, and air cargo isn’t left behind. We have already started to rely on artificial intelligence for various operations. Our dependence on this technology and the youth to drive it will only increase in the coming years. I can foresee that the air cargo industry will soon become a leading example of transformation through the artificial intelligence revolution.

How can AI reform the air cargo industry? What should be the approach of each stakeholder in the industry?

We will use AI to improve our operations, customer service, load planning, supply and demand prediction, inventory and revenue management, and boost the complete supply chain efficiency. It can help us save time and money and polish our productivity levels. But all this can happen only when we as an industry take the first step of accepting this change and embracing this revolutionising technology. It is here, and we must level up to match its pace. Transformations like these come once in a decade, but they push your limits and help you outgrow your own boundaries. This is among the most critical transitions our industry will witness. Let’s welcome it with open arms.

Finally, being the president of the Convention, what is your message to the ACAAI members and to the fraternity regarding the Convention?

The 47^th ACAAI Convention will be very different from the others as the focus here is on artificial intelligence and showcasing how crucial it is for our industry’s growth. It is a new area we are entering, a new era we are foraying into as an industry. I assure them that they are going to find every interaction held during this Convention to be highly insightful and valuable for applying in their own domains. I look forward to seeing the participants in Malaysia soon.