New research has revealed that seven in ten (70%) fleet professionals believe 2026 will be the year artificial intelligence (AI) begins to fundamentally transform transport management.  

The finding, based on a survey of 250 transport and logistics decision-makers conducted by Microlise, highlights growing confidence that AI is moving from trial and experimentation into day-to-day operational use.

Just 14% disagreed that 2026 would mark a step change for AI adoption, while 16% said they were unsure.

From route optimisation and predictive maintenance to driver behaviour monitoring and compliance management, AI is increasingly being used to help operators reduce fuel consumption, minimise downtime and improve profitability.

It is a subject that will be covered in depth at this year’s Microlise Transport Conference in a keynote speech by the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Dean Garvey-North, as he explores how and where to unlock measurable value from AI tools and deliver operations that are intelligent, fully integrated and which use data to drive decision-making. 

AI software includes route planning to reduce fuel use and empty miles, real-time driver performance insights, predictive vehicle maintenance and intelligent load optimisation. These capabilities are increasingly being viewed as critical tools for operators facing ongoing cost pressures and the need to improve utilisation.

In Microlise’s 2025 industry report ‘Standing at the Crossroads: A crucial moment for UK logistics’, just (36%) of respondents believed that AI was being used to its fullest potential in the sector.

The increase to 70% in 2026 suggests confidence in AI’s role in fleet operations has almost doubled in the space of 12 months.

Microlise CEO Nadeem Raza said: “This year’s findings show just how quickly attitudes towards AI are evolving across the transport sector.

“In the space of 12 months, we have seen a clear shift from curiosity around AI to a much stronger focus on how it can drive tangible operational value. For operators, this is no longer about future potential – it is about practical applications that improve fleet efficiency, reduce cost and strengthen competitiveness.

"Those who embrace intelligent, data-led fleet management will be significantly better placed to navigate the commercial pressures facing the industry,” he continued.