Logistics Automation, AI, and Industry 4.0: Ethical Considerations in a Technological Innovation Scenario

This article explores the intersection between Logistics, Industry 4.0, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), highlighting how advanced technologies have transformed logistics processes and increased efficiency. The research, conducted through a systematic literature review, analyzed patterns and significant themes related to the ethical implications of logistics automation in the context of Industry 4.0. The results indicate that the growing adoption of cyber-physical systems and automated algorithms in logistics operations raises critical issues concerning ethical governance, algorithmic accountability, and data privacy. Three main thematic axes were identified: ethical governance and algorithmic accountability, the social impact of automation on workers, and data privacy and security. It was evidenced that, although automation brings benefits such as greater efficiency and accuracy, it also intensifies ethical challenges, such as worker displacement, job precarization, and risks associated with transparency and data security. The study concludes that the responsible implementation of these technologies requires robust ethical governance policies, regular audits, and practices that promote inclusion and equity, ensuring that technological progress aligns with social and human values.