b'NEW TECHNOLOGYRESHAPING THEMOVING INDUSTRYBy Warren HeeleyHow AI and analytics are innovating the shipment of household goodsA rtificial Intelligence (AI) isRelocation moving processes currentlyhumans. AI functions in a similar manner starting to change how theusing AI include virtual surveys for costto how the human brain works. It analyzes employee relocation industryestimating, route optimization, and driverinput data such as records and files and operates, and specifically, howrest requirements using electronic loggingthen, from this data, creates algorithms household goods are moved.devices (ELD). In each case, AI has theto categorize the data and make suitable From categorizing and tracking eachability to utilize deep learning, repetitivedecisions and predictions.item being moved to determining routesalgorithms and data to predict the future and assigning drivers, AI is significantlyvalues of important variables in the reloca- MOVING PROCESSaltering relocation moving processes andtion process.Now that the pandemic has for the most this change has only just begun. ExpertsSo what does this mean for relocation?part passed, market experts estimate agree that AI has finally entered theSimply put, AI will optimize costs forglobal relocation will expand 3.35 per cent moving industry and is reshaping howclients by automating repetitive relocationby 2028 reaching almost $38.6 billion. relocation companies operate. processes, reducing error margins, makingReturning to somewhat pre-pandemic AI is a technology where computers,decisions based on significantly morelevels, the industry realizes it must make learning from their own experiences,data and allowing moving companies toits processes more effective and efficient in adjust their approach based on new dataprovide more value to their customers bythe post-pandemic era.and perform repetitive tasks currentlyconcentrating human resources on other handled by humans. It is simplifying ourpriority areas of service.New digital technologies like AI are lives by performing tedious manual tasksAI is starting to gain momentum in theneeded to improve a complex and for us.moving industry with virtual surveys ofcumbersome process. The relocation contents and front-end use of chatbots,industry is in need of an end-to endOne thing I think will come into playexplains Bill Andreopulos, manager,technology solution that integrates its more and more with AI is the ability fortechnology and applications with Qualityservices. Advancing from the time-the consumer to understand their moveMove Management. It is saving timeconsuming era of the pen, paper, calcu-process more clearly and have morefor companies with the usual quirks andlator and camera to the AI-assisted virtual control by being fully engaged, sayspitfalls of new technology. surveys for estimating is a game changer Nancy Irvine, president of the Canadianfor the industry, states Irvine.Association of Movers. For example, withA key AI feature is machine or deep a simple photo of box contents, AI is ablelearning where AI-enabled computersHere are a few key areas where AI is to help consumers track exactly what is inprocess and absorb large amounts of dataimpacting (or will impact) the relocation each box and where that box is located. that trains them to act and respond likemoving process most:14PERSPECTIVESSummer 2024'