In this latest episode of The Schelling Point, GSBN’s Bertrand Chen speaks with Eric Johnson, Senior Editor at the Journal of Commerce, for a candid discussion on venture capital, AI, and the multi-decade evolution of logistics technology.
Eric outlines three major waves of logistics tech: the foundational ERP systems of the 1990s, the move to the cloud-based SaaS and VC-fueled boom of the late 2010s, and today’s AI transformation. In this discussion, Eric gave his two-cents on why VC investments in LogTech have led to underwhelming returns so far.
Looking at the current impacts of AI enabled transformation, the pair shares their views on the next generation of AI-driven applications. Eric also wore the hat of a VC and predicted where the smart money is going for the next wave of investments.
The episode also raises important questions about the long-term impact of automation on tacit knowledge and operational continuity, offering valuable insights for maritime executives, logistics technologists, and trade policy professionals navigating the next wave of digital transformation.
Tune in for a forward-looking conversation on venture capital, AI, and the evolving landscape of logistics innovation.
00:00 – From Mall Openings to Shipping Beats: How I Stumbled Into the Logistics Industry
02:50 – Why Business Journalism Hooked Me Instantly?
03:16 – A Crash Course in Shipping’s Economic Impact
09:19 – Why Did I turn down a VC Offer?
14:12 – Is Venture Capitalism just a Massive Echo Chamber?
17:24 – Why Journalists Make Killer VCs?
18:20 – Why Shocks Like Evergiven or Tariffs keep this industry exciting?
20:12 – A Brief History of Logistics Tech: From ERP to Cloud
21:30 – VC Boom in 2010s: How Cloud Paved the Way for Massive Investments in this sector?
23:36 – COVID Hangover: The Current Era of Logistics Tech Evolution
24:51 – Why Is the Shipping Industry Fragmented and Obsessed with Redundancy?
33:54 – 3 reasons for Low ROI on Logistics Tech
38:30 – How Startups Rubbed Logistics incumbents the Wrong Way?
43:02 – Why LogTech Returns Are Still lackluster?
46:14 – AI Wave Incoming
47:11 – Different AI categories
50:40 – Best use of AI is No UI
56:18 – Will AI Ruthlessly reduce Logistics Roles?
58:59 – Tacit knowledge at risk.
1:01:18 – Why Some Logistics Players Need Things to be Messy?
1:04:19 – You Can’t Spell Tariff Without AI
1:05:15 – You have $1B to deploy
1:06:26 – Free Business Idea #1
1:07:13 – Free Business Idea #2
1:10:20 – Free Business Idea #3
1:11:20 – Counter Press Podcast: Chats about football with Logistics Pros
1:14:20 – Advice for the Schelling Point
1:20:16 – Who’s next on the Schelling Point?
Eric Johnson, Senior Editor at the Journal of Commerce, for a candid discussion on venture capital, AI, and the multi-decade evolution of logistics technology.