Language AI for Kuehne+Nagel – How to Boost Global Logistics Efficiency with AI

The global transport and logistics industry is one where technological transformation and the use of cutting-edge technology are crucial for growth.

Kuehne+Nagel is a global logistics company that addresses the challenges inherent to the trade in a visionary way. The company operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 81,000 people.

Kuehne+Nagel sought support to adequately prepare multilingual databases that are used by customers and business partners around the world and are subjected to procedures such as anti-terrorism screening.

Given the size of these databases which usually contain millions of records, it was necessary to develop an AI-based language model that would perform operations such as language detection, data conversion between alphabets, data verification, and the translation of individual database elements.

How was our partnership with the world’s leader in land, sea and air transport?

Challenges

The company needed a translation and transliteration solution, as well as language detection in extensive databases, especially those of shipping labels. Before we began our partnership, Kuehne+Nagel researched various translation services, including popular online translators like Google Translate, DeepL, Microsoft Translate, and several others.

These proved unsuitable due to the specific requirements of the business. It proved essential to have an advanced language model based on artificial intelligence, which first recognises the language and then performs the desired operation.

Solution

The solution to the customer challenges became a custom language model equipped with capabilities of translation, transliteration, data conversion and verification, and source language detection.

 Requirement specification

The Lingy AI language model facilitates the seamless, automatic preparation of multilingual dispatch data into a form that allows it to be clearly presented or used in procedures such as anti-terrorism screening. Lingy AI also verifies the veracity and actual existence of individual addresses by cross-referencing them with the most popular browsers and Internet map services. 

Languages supported

Lingy AI currently supports a total of 71 of the most popular languages determined in cooperation with Kuehne+Nagel to address the needs of all the company’s customers and business partners.

The language model automatically analyses which data are subject to translation, transliteration, deletion or addition of diacritical marks, and then performs all required operations.

Data verification to enhance security and compliance

All address data passing through the language model is automatically checked for its actual existence. The accuracy of the translation or transcription is verified by a complex algorithm that searches the most popular browsers to match the data passing through the model.

This makes it easier to filter out false addresses, which significantly improves the effectiveness of anti-terrorist screening.

Security of source data

Translated and transliterated data is securely stored in a private virtual cloud. We have implemented solutions in accordance with the ISO standards set out for digital data security, including sensitive data. 

Interface

An intuitive and interactive interface allows easy data access. As a result, Kuehne+Nagel has accurate information on the languages processed, the number of characters in each record, the amount of data passing through the model, and the average size of individual records.

Stability of the model 

Lingy AI processes millions of characters per month in all languages and alphabets of the world.

Bearing in mind how critical the stability of implemented solutions that are integral to processes such as counter-terrorism screening is to any global logistics company, we regularly stress-test our model and also provide a lifetime full-scope support to ensure that the solution is perfectly stable.

Since its full integration with Kuehne+Nagel’s IT systems, our solution has been used 24/7 by the company’s branches around the world, without recording a single critical failure since then.

What has Kuehne+Nagel gained from the cooperation with Lingy?

– Time and resources savings–  Lingy AI significantly speeds up and facilitates anti-terrorist screening, which in turn improves the efficiency of deliveries carried out by Kuehne+Nagel.

– Cost savings – no staff or subcontractors are needed to manually work with extensive, multilingual databases.

– Increased security and compliance – the reliability and comparison of processed data with that received from web browsers and maps significantly increase security and compliance with international regulations.

Does Kuehne+Nagel plan to develop cooperation with Lingy further?

At Kuehne+Nagel, as recent figures clearly show, there is a growing internal demand for the implementation of translation and language technology. Based on conversations and projects to date, we anticipate further development of our cooperation.

How does Kuehne+Nagel assess the cooperation with Lingy to date?

“Our partnership with Lingy has been transformational, enabling us to streamline operations by integrating advanced language AI tools. This not only enhances efficiency but also ensures accuracy across diverse linguistic barriers, proving indispensable in our global operations.”

Abhishek Prasad, Global Head of Data Governance at Kuehne+Nagel

Abhishek Prasad has been involved in data strategy and data management for more than 15 years. His role is Global Head of Data Governance at Kuehne+Nagel’s Central Data Office in Hamburg. He is responsible for Reference & Master Data Governance, Architecture and Quality, as well as development of solutions for Kuehne+Nagel’s customers and business partners. In his work, he leverages cutting-edge technology, including AI language models, which contribute to the efficiency of his team, as well as of Kuehne+Nagel as a whole, impacting customer satisfaction worldwide.

“In the TSL industry, time is of the essence – we understand this very well. Using the example of industry leader Kuehne+Nagel, we can confidently say that implementation of the Artificial Intelligence into operational processes that include multilingual data allows to save time, resources, and costs and also improves compliance with international regulations.”

Agnieszka Chmielewska, Chief Executive Officer at Lingy