Nitheesh Yennampelly

Human-AI Collaboration for Fair Warehouse Placement in Logistics

Abstract:

The rapid growth of U.S. warehousing from 14,600 facilities in 2007 to more than 22,000 by 2023 has intensified social, environmental, and ethical challenges. AI-driven logistics planning can improve efficiency but may unintentionally reinforce inequities in warehouse siting, particularly in communities already facing disproportionate pollution and economic stressors.
This talk examines how AI-enabled facility location models influence infrastructure decisions and how fairness can be incorporated into these systems. Using evidence from logistics hubs such as California’s Inland Empire where warehouse development expanded by tens of millions of square feet in a single year we highlight how algorithmic optimization focused solely on cost and efficiency can concentrate environmental burdens.
We explore algorithmic strategies that integrate equity considerations into logistics planning, including multi-objective optimization balancing cost with spatial equity metrics such as Gini coefficients, demographic-weighted fairness constraints, and emissions-aware network design. The presentation also emphasizes the role of human-AI collaboration, demonstrating how expert oversight helps address data bias, competing objectives, and unintended model outcomes.
Beyond technical modeling, the session examines community trust dynamics. Even analytically “fair” model recommendations may be rejected without transparency and meaningful engagement. Policy tools including buffer zones, electrification requirements, and environmental justice regulations are also discussed through quantitative evidence on pollution dispersion around warehouse sites.
The talk concludes with a framework for responsible AI-supported logistics planning that integrates algorithmic fairness, human oversight, and community participation to support sustainable infrastructure development.

Profile:

Nitheesh Yennampelly is a dynamic supply chain and business analytics professional with proven expertise in strategic operations, automation, and data-driven optimization. Currently serving as a Supply Chain Specialist at Amazon in Nashville, Tennessee, Nitheesh leads initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and generate multimillion-dollar savings. His notable accomplishments include designing an automated build planning and forecasting system that achieved $7 million in cost savings, and developing a real-time QuickSight dashboard that drove a $6.4 million ROI.
A skilled innovator, Nitheesh has successfully integrated AI-powered solutions into operational workflows, such as creating an automated Q&A assistant for Amazon’s SOP management tool, now used across 4,000+ sites, and spearheading the hub-and-spoke topology optimization for an $85 million asset management system using advanced Python modeling. His ability to combine technical acumen with strategic insight makes him a trusted leader in logistics innovation and data analytics.
Previously, as an Area Manager at Amazon in California, Nitheesh managed teams of 30+ associates, implementing performance management systems that boosted productivity by 25% and reduced workplace incidents by 20%. Earlier in his career, he contributed to FedEx Services as a Strategy & Analytics Intern, where he developed Power BI dashboards and data validation processes that improved reporting accuracy by 25%.
Nitheesh began his professional journey at Unacademy in India, where he streamlined asset management processes and implemented CRM systems to enhance business operations.
He holds a Master’s degree in Management Science (Business Analytics & Supply Chain Management) from The University of Texas at Dallas, where he was recognized as a Dean’s Excellence Scholar and served as an Operations Lead for the Project Management Club. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Guru Nanak Institutions Technical Campus in Hyderabad, India.
An advocate for continuous improvement, Nitheesh is certified in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt) and skilled in SQL, Alteryx, Power BI, Tableau, and advanced analytics tools. His leadership, technical expertise, and innovative mindset consistently drive measurable results in complex operational environments.