Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Artificial Intelligence: A Glossary

Confused by artificial intelligence terms? Here's a glossary of some of the most common terms and how they are being used in trucking and logistics.

May 21, 2020
Artificial Intelligence: A Glossary

 

Photo: Seanbatty via Pixabay

3 min to read


Agentic AI: On of Gartner's Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2025, the next frontier of artificial intelligence is agentic AI, according to Nvidia. It uses sophisticated reasoning and iterative planning to autonomously solve complex, multi-step problems. Agentic AI can autonomously plan and take action to achieve goals set by the user. As IBM explains, agentic AI takes autonomous capabilities to the next level by using large language models, machine learning, and natural language processing to perform autonomous tasks on behalf of the user or another system. 

Ad Loading...

Algorithm: A logical sequence of explicit, step-by-step instructions to solve any problem. These are the building blocks that make up machine learning and artificial intelligence. The goal of an algorithm is to teach AI, neural network, or other machines how to figure things out on their own.

Ad Loading...

Artificial Intelligence: Computers capable of doing human-like tasks: decision-making, object classification and detection, speech recognition and translation.

Artificial neural network: An algorithm that attempts to mimic the biological neural networks that make up the human brain, with layers of connected “neurons” sending information to each other.

Big data: Large amounts of structured and unstructured data that is too complex to be handled by standard data-processing software.

Chatbots: Simulates a real conversation through text or voice messages. Chatbots use machine learning to identify communication patterns and thus learn to imitate real conversations. After each dialogue, they become smarter. According to Nvicia, AI chatbots use generative AI to provide responses based on a single interaction. A person makes a query and the chatbot uses natural language processing to reply.

Cognitive computing: A computerized model that mimics human thought processes to assist humans in finding solutions to complex problems, rather than automating things. It overlaps with AI and uses many of the same underlying technologies.

Ad Loading...

Computer vision: A field of AI that uses AI technologies to solve complex problems using  information from images and video, such as object detection.

Data mining: The process of sorting through large sets of data in order to identify recurring patterns while establishing problem-solving relationships.

Digital twin: A virtual copy of a physical asset, which can enable better monitoring, diagnostics and predictions. At its simplest, a digital twin can be described as a virtual copy of a real object, explains Intangles. It is linked to its “physical twin” through a dynamic data feed. This means the digital twin is continually “learning” to be a better and more accurate replica of its physical counterpart. "And because it’s virtual, you can do far more with the Digital Twin than you could with the physical thing."

Generative AI: Generative AI, such as ChatGPT or image-based tools such DALL-E, is a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, images, or video, using deep-learning models learned from training on large amounts of existing data. As Deloitte explains, it can retrieve, parse, analyze, organize, and synthesize a range of disparate datasets, text, documents, and other readable/scannable content.

Machine learning: A set of algorithms that allows you to feed machines (computers) data and let them learn a few tricks on their own, without being explicitly programmed to do so. Machine learning is a subset of AI. It can be fed only with structured data, while AI can handle both structured and unstructured pieces of information.

Ad Loading...
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Fleet Management

ATA President Chris Spear.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsMarch 17, 2026

ATA’s Spear Warns Fuel Prices, Trade Policy, and Global Conflict Could Stall Trucking Recovery

Speaking at the TMC Annual Meeting in Nashville, ATA President Chris Spear said trucking faces mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, geopolitical instability, and uncertainty around trade policy.

Read More →
Illustration of author headshot with black-and-white old-fashioned rig in the background

New Entrants, Chameleon Carriers, and Safety: Is It Too Easy to Start a Trucking Company?

More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.

Read More →
Panel discussion
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeMarch 12, 2026

Fleet Managers Invited to Apply for Exclusive HDT Exchange Event

HDTX is an intimate event that connects heavy-duty trucking fleet managers with industry suppliers through small-group discussions, educational sessions, and structured one-on-one meetings.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
DAT iPhone Widget.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 12, 2026

DAT Launches iPhone Widget to Help Owner-Operators Find Loads Faster

New DAT One feature shows top-paying loads directly on an iPhone’s home screen, helping carriers react faster to spot-market opportunities.

Read More →
Optimal Dynamics Scale screen shot
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 12, 2026

Optimal Dynamics Launches AI System to Help Carriers Choose Better Freight

Optimal Dynamics says its new Scale platform uses AI agents and optimization to help carriers find and secure freight that improves network balance and profitability.

Read More →
DAT March 2026 trucking conditions.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsMarch 12, 2026

DAT: Flatbed Demand Climbs as Van and Reefer Rates Soften

DAT Freight & Analytics data shows tightening flatbed capacity, easing produce markets, and softening van and reefer rates.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
YouTube thumbnail with Mike Roeth of NACFE saying "NACFE's Messy Middle: Which Fuel Wins?"
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeMarch 11, 2026

Run on Less “Messy Middle” Data Shows Multiple Paths Forward for Truck Powertrains [Watch]

NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle project demonstrates the power of data in helping to guide the future of alternative fuels and powertrains for heavy-duty trucks.

Read More →
Illustration of crowded New York street overlaid with dollar signs
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeMarch 11, 2026

Federal Court Lets NYC Congestion Pricing Continue

A federal court ruling allows New York City’s congestion pricing program to continue, leaving truck tolls in place for fleets delivering into Manhattan.

Read More →
Fontaine Modification Access365
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 10, 2026

Fontaine Modification Launches Real-Time Truck Modification Tracking Portal

Fontaine Modification has introduced a new customer portal designed to give fleets real-time visibility into the truck modification process, addressing one of the most common questions fleet managers face: “Where’s my truck?”

Read More →
Ad Loading...
FTR Tucking Conditions March 2026.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsMarch 10, 2026

FTR: Trucking Conditions Index Climbs to Highest Level Since 2022

Strong freight rates, rising volumes and tighter capacity push trucking conditions higher, though diesel prices could temper gains in the near term, FTR cautions.

Read More →