This study aims to address the artificial intelligence-based material handling approach selection problem under circular economy to contribute the smart and sustainable business management in logistics systems. The "consensus-reaching process" for experts is not emphasized in the current decision-making procedures with q-rung orthopair fuzzy data. Experts working on group decision-making challenges may hold views that are very dissimilar from one another as a result of their knowledge and experiences. In order for experts to increase the amount of consensus, a consensus-building process is needed. Besides, the ranking results provided by "combined compromise for ideal solution" do not change dramatically in line with the changing weight distributions of characteristics. So, q-rung orthopair fuzzy-based combined compromise for ideal solution methodology with consensus reaching is introduced for solving the addressed emerging problem of logistics companies. This robust and logical decision-making method can comprehensively analyze the advantages, disadvantages, and potential barriers to the acceptance of artificial intelligence-based material handling approaches. The real-life study is offered for a logistics company that plans to invest in robotic solutions based on artificial intelligence. The findings show that autonomous mobile robots represent the best artificial intelligence-based material handling approach. Recommendations for adopting alternative solutions are provided to assist in the efficient completion of smart logistics activities.