AI is everywhere, but perhaps its greatest impact could be felt across the supply chain. From anticipating orders to managing deliveries, AI has the power to drastically increase efficiency in all areas of the supply chain. In fact, McKinsey estimates that firms could gain $1.3 trillion to $2 trillion a year from using AI in supply chain and manufacturing. Here are five companies that are already taking advantage of this forward-focused technology.  

1. Rolls Royce uses AI to safely transport its cargo.

Rolls Royce recently partnered with Google to create autonomous ships. Instead of just replacing one driver in a self-driving car, this technology replaces the jobs of 20-plus ship crew members. Existing ships use AI algorithms to sense what is around them in the water and classify items according to the danger they pose to the ship. In the future, the technology will include sensors to track ship engine performance, load and unload cargo and monitor security. Using AI to help ships be aware of what is around them makes shipments faster and safer. Ships won’t be lost due to weather or run into dangerous items, which means goods can cross oceans faster and more easily.