Responsibility, Vision and Trust: How AI is Used at SSI SCHAEFER

Artificial intelligence is also impacting intralogistics and this raises technical as well as strategic and ethical questions. For SSI SCHAEFER, one thing is clear: anyone who uses AI must take responsibility for it. The company was aware of this responsibility even before the introduction of the EU AI Act and has followed a set of established principles for many years. These principles serve as company-wide guidelines for responsible conduct. 

AI innovations and regulation: beyond the scope of statutory requirements 

A common question asked in relation to artificial intelligence is: How much freedom can technology have? And which constraints are needed to make sure it is really secure? SSI SCHAEFER demonstrates that one does not exclude the other. On the contrary. 

The EU AI Act establishes fundamental principles for the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Long before the first regulatory initiatives, SSI SCHAEFER was already focused on two key issues. Firstly, which possibilities does this technology offer and how should it be implemented responsibly. And secondly, to what extent are controls and monitoring necessary, irrespective of the statutory compliance specifications. Both aspects are closely linked to the crucial factor of customer acceptance.

Even before the introduction of the EU AI Act, SSI SCHAEFER was looking in detail at the responsible development and application of software and AI, also regarding customer acceptance of the increased automation of decisions. The internal guidelines are based on the clear values which support technologies, from the initial idea through to implementation. This ensures that solutions are workable, explainable and also aligned with the needs of the customers.

Common practice for AI with a focus on sustainable customer value

AI is used for specific applications in product development and operational processes in order to increase efficiency, process safety and customer benefit in the long-term. In doing so, the company focuses on the increased interaction of internal expert teams and initiatives, rather than individual solutions.

One example of this is the Data Science team, which analyzes complex data flows from warehouse and logistics processes and uses this information to develop intelligent models for decision-making support. Machine learning and statistical processes are used to develop data-based services which improve forecasting, optimize workflows and increase transparency in intralogistics, while always taking into account their application in practice and added value for customers.

This data-driven approach is complemented with the AI Accelerator, a company-wide initiative which acts as a bridge between technology and practical application. Here experts from research, product development, IT infrastructure and the legal department work together to provide strategic support for the use of AI and to integrate new technologies purposefully into existing structures. The result is a practical framework which encourages innovation and, at the same time, meets the requirements for security, transparency and customer acceptance.

A key element of this work is the area of explainable AI. SSI SCHAEFER is currently working on integrating this aspect into its development processes. The ability to make AI decisions understandable is not only a quality feature, but also a crucial factor for trust and acceptance. 

Employees from SSI SCHAEFER are also actively participating in European initiatives and scientific committees. This ensures that while keeping pace with technological developments, the company is making an active contribution to the future of AI too – in a responsible and transparent manner and always with consideration for customers.

Trust as the basis for warehouse logistics 

Trust is a critical success factor in the highly automated world of intralogistics. SSI SCHAEFER considers artificial intelligence to be more than just a black box – it is a technology which must be transparent and explainable. Customers count on a long-term impact of their investments in intralogistics solutions – for stable supply chains, efficient processes and reliable decisions. This is still the goal of SSI SCHAEFER, even in the age of artificial intelligence – with a focus on explainability, transparency and (data) security.

Shaping the future with clear values 

SSI SCHAEFER is a reliable and future-focused partner when it comes to artificial intelligence – not because we have to be for regulatory reasons, but because it is what we believe. With clear values, wide-ranging practical experience and an eye for the essential issues, the company provides reliable support to its customers for complex topics such as AI, automation and digitalization. Instead of focusing on the technological hype, we are pursuing a cooperative, solution-focused approach to these future opportunities.

 

About the author:

Since 2022, Dr. Martin Böhmer has headed the global Innovation Department of SSI SCHAEFER. In interdisciplinary teams, he has developed and tested novel solutions for intralogistics. In addition to analyzing market dynamics, technological leaps and the start-up landscape, his work focuses in particular on digitalization and artificial intelligence. He draws on his many years of experience at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML, one of Europe’s largest institutions for holistic and practice-oriented logistics research. He holds a Diplom degree in Computer Science and in Logistics from the Technical University of Dortmund and completed his doctorate alongside his professional career at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at TU Dortmund.