Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
In this episode of The Freight Table, host David sits down with Chris Machut, a technologist, serial entrepreneur, and the leader of a groundbreaking AI project for the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). This conversation moves past the initial hype of large language models to explore the transition from asking "why" use AI to "how" it can be practically implemented to drive efficiency across the supply chain.12
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are critical to ensure AI results align with the real-world movement of freight
- How IANA’s initial framework identifies specific touchpoints in a container's journey where AI can provide immediate value
- Chris shares a powerful personal story about using AI to help triage a life-threatening medical infection, illustrating the importance of a "human-in-the-loop" philosophy
- How AI can reduce operational stress by handling repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to focus on higher-level decision-making
- Why AI is evolving exponentially, and what that means for the gap between current frameworks and future implementations
- Why now is the time for all stakeholders—from carriers to rail to BCOs—to bring their feedback and help define how AI is adopted
- How AI acts as a "pinnacle" technology, similar to the evolution from the abacus to the PC, by making complex capabilities accessible to everyone
Find out why IANA is uniquely positioned to lead the intermodal industry toward a future of unprecedented technological collaboration.
About The Freight Table
A monthly podcast from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), connecting data, policy, and industry voices to give you a clear view of what's changing now — and what's coming next. Where intermodal comes together.
In this episode of The Freight Table, host David sits down with Chris Machut, a technologist, serial entrepreneur, and the leader of a groundbreaking AI project for the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA). This conversation moves past the initial hype of large language models to explore the transition from asking "why" use AI to "how" it can be practically implemented to drive efficiency across the supply chain.12
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are critical to ensure AI results align with the real-world movement of freight
- How IANA’s initial framework identifies specific touchpoints in a container's journey where AI can provide immediate value
- Chris shares a powerful personal story about using AI to help triage a life-threatening medical infection, illustrating the importance of a "human-in-the-loop" philosophy
- How AI can reduce operational stress by handling repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to focus on higher-level decision-making
- Why AI is evolving exponentially, and what that means for the gap between current frameworks and future implementations
- Why now is the time for all stakeholders—from carriers to rail to BCOs—to bring their feedback and help define how AI is adopted
- How AI acts as a "pinnacle" technology, similar to the evolution from the abacus to the PC, by making complex capabilities accessible to everyone
Find out why IANA is uniquely positioned to lead the intermodal industry toward a future of unprecedented technological collaboration.
About The Freight Table
A monthly podcast from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), connecting data, policy, and industry voices to give you a clear view of what's changing now — and what's coming next. Where intermodal comes together.
