The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) welcomes President Trump’s newly released AI Action Plan, a forward-looking roadmap for federal artificial intelligence (AI) policy that speaks directly to the future of the material handling and distribution sectors.
We’re especially encouraged to see several of NAW’s recommendations—submitted earlier this year during the Administration’s Request for Information—reflected in the plan, including:
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A unified federal framework to drive long-term AI innovation and infrastructure development, keeping close collaboration with supply chain and distribution stakeholders at the forefront.
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Streamlined regulations, leveraging existing federal laws and funding to minimize the patchwork of state-by-state AI rules that add complexity for material handling operations.
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Clarification of legal barriers that slow adoption, including revisiting prior Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigations that have created uncertainty.
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Workforce strategies built for tomorrow, with an emphasis on AI skills development and identifying high-demand roles across warehouses, logistics, and distribution centers.
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Updated tax guidance confirming that AI training programs qualify as eligible educational assistance under Section 132 of the Internal Revenue Code.
NAW has been a champion of AI adoption in distribution and material handling, particularly through our leadership in the AI Applied Consortium (AAIC), which promotes responsible innovation through collaborative research, advisory groups, and cross-industry partnerships.
We look forward to collaborating with the Administration to ensure the AI Action Plan drives meaningful outcomes that enhance AI deployment and adoption across the wholesale distribution and material handling industries.
