AI ROI: Why 90% Satisfaction Still Means Leaders Want MORE!

A new Sparq report reveals a surprising trend: most transportation and logistics leaders are satisfied with their AI and technology investments, with 90% reporting met or exceeded ROI expectations. Yet, a significant 62% are pushing vendors for faster payback. This raises a critical question about the future of tech adoption in the industry. Scott Monnig, Chief Client Officer at Sparq, discusses the report’s findings, highlighting the shift from ‘proof of concept’ to ‘proof of value’ and the challenges of integrating disparate data systems to unlock AI’s full potential.

Nine in 10 transportation and logistics leaders say their technology and AI investments have met or exceeded ROI expectations heading into 2026, according to an inaugural industry report from Sparq. Yet 62% of those same leaders want faster payback from vendors — a tension that defines where the sector stands as AI moves from proof of concept to proof of value.

The survey covered brokers, truckers, parcel carriers, and last-mile delivery companies, with more than 300 participants. Over 50% were direct decision-makers on technology investment, another 40% were influencers in those decisions, and 90% of respondents were director level or higher, according to Sparq’s Chief Client Officer.

Looking ahead to 2027, roughly 90% of survey respondents expect their AI and technology budgets to increase. Even so, approximately 20% still consider themselves budget-constrained. The top operational challenge cited was legacy systems, flagged by 25% of respondents, followed by data quality and talent gaps. Fuel costs ranked as the leading external pressure, with labor costs close behind.

This story was originally published by FreightWaves. Read the full story at FreightWaves →