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.

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

Ad Loading...

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.

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

Ad Loading...

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.

Updated 2025 to add new terms.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Fleet Management

Illustration of a chalkboard with a hand drawing an arrow curving away from a partially erased straight arrow with the words "Embracing Change," the Heavy Duty Trucking Logo and the "cover feature" graphic.
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 1, 2026

How Innovative Trucking Leaders Turn Change Into an Advantage

As the pace of change accelerates in trucking, the fleets that adapt best have more than the latest technology. They have cultures that embrace improvement.

Read More →
Illustration of past due invoices with red X on top with background of a truck at a loading dock
Fleet ManagementJuly 27, 2026

Freight Broker Bonds Just Got Harder to Get. Here's What That Means for Your Fleet.

When it gets harder for a freight broker to prove they are financially sound, the ones who cannot clear that bar get pushed out of the market. And those are exactly the brokers who used to leave motor carriers holding the bag.

Read More →
Photo of cable bridge crossing Detroit River
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 23, 2026

Long-Awaited Canadian Border Bridge to Open in Detroit

For trucking, the bridge opening should offer immediate improvements in efficiency and reliability, with new customs facilities, expanded inspection capacity, and direct freeway-to-freeway connections.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Blue International heavy-duty truck with Aurora driverless truck software coming head-on on an interstate highway
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 22, 2026

Aurora Rolls Out Next Generation of Driverless Trucks for Commercial Freight

Aurora's latest autonomous trucks it's rolling out with International feature lower-cost hardware designed for a million miles as the company expands commercial driverless freight operations across the U.S. Sun Belt.

Read More →
American Trucking Associations for-hire tonnage graph
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 21, 2026

Freight Tonnage Down, Rates up, as Lower Capacity Powers Trucking Recovery

The recovery from the freight recession continues to be driven by reduction in capacity rather than by increased demand.

Read More →
Cyberstop column header depicting images of ChatGPT prompt on a smartphone and shadowy hooded figure
Fleet Managementby Ben WilkensJuly 17, 2026

Think Your Trucking Fleet Isn't Using Much AI? Think Again

Shadow AI — the use of unauthorized artificial intelligence tools at work — is becoming increasingly common, putting sensitive company data at risk. Learn how trucking fleets can protect sensitive data while embracing AI.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of semi trucks with Panther, ArcBest, and ABF trailers backed up to docks, with ArcBest logo superimposed on top
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 17, 2026

ArcBest Consolidates Brands, Cuts Workforce

The company will bring three business units under the ArcBest brand, eliminate about 2% of positions, and expects the changes to generate $40 million in annual savings.

Read More →
Cover of ATRI operational costs study with graph clip art and photo of trucks on highway in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJuly 15, 2026

Trucking Fleets Faced Record Operating Costs During Third Year of Freight Recession

ATRI's annual operational cost report shows carriers trimmed fleets, delayed equipment purchases, and ran older trucks as expenses continued to outpace freight rates.

Read More →
Micheline AI Assistant.

Michelin Adds AI Assistant to MyConnectedFleet Platform

Michelin’s new generative AI tool delivers instant fleet insights, helping managers analyze fuel use, tire maintenance, vehicle status, and operational performance without manually creating reports.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
LytxOne Platform.

LytxOne Platform Now Features AI, Compliance, and Asset Tracking Tools

New enhancements add AI-powered insights, asset tracking, compliance automation, and configurable privacy controls to Lytx's all-in-one fleet management platform.

Read More →