TL;DR:
- UPS employs artificial intelligence (AI) to combat the rising issue of package theft.
- An estimated 260 million packages went missing in the U.S. last year, with porch theft being a major concern.
- Nearly one in four adults had a package stolen in the past year, causing serious problems when essential items like medication or expensive merchandise are taken.
- UPS introduces DeliveryDefense, an AI-powered program that assesses recipient addresses and assigns a score based on the likelihood of successful delivery.
- Low-scoring addresses can have their packages rerouted to UPS Stores or pickup locations with customer approval.
- According to UPS Capital President Mark Robinson, this AI technology can potentially reduce customer losses significantly.
Main AI News:
An alarming 260 million packages vanished without a trace in the United States last year, a concerning statistic reported by Safewise. Shockingly, many of these packages were brazenly pilfered from doorsteps, even in the presence of security cameras. As the holiday season swings into full gear, the menace of package theft looms large. However, one shipping giant, UPS, is arming itself with artificial intelligence (AI) to thwart these porch pirates.
According to a survey conducted by Finder, nearly one in four adults fell victim to package theft in the past 12 months. This issue takes on an even graver dimension when one considers that these pilfered packages often contain essential items, such as medication or high-value merchandise.
Tarek Saab, the President of Texas Precious Metals, a company specializing in shipping valuable items like silver bars and gold coins, emphasized the significance of every package during this festive season. “This time of year, we ship a lot of gifts, so every package is very special to the person receiving it,” said Saab.
In a bid to bolster their security efforts, Saab’s company, among others, has turned to UPS’s innovative AI-driven solution known as DeliveryDefense. This groundbreaking system utilizes recipient addresses to generate a unique score, with higher scores indicating a higher probability of successful delivery. These scores are meticulously crafted using a vast reservoir of historical delivery data and various other pertinent factors.
For addresses assigned a lower score, merchants now possess the capability to reroute packages, subject to customer approval, to UPS Stores or alternative pickup locations. “About 2% of addresses will be considered low confidence, and we’re seeing that represents about 30% of losses our customers are having,” revealed Mark Robinson, President of UPS Capital, during an interview with CBS News.
Saab firmly believes that this cutting-edge technology will substantially mitigate their losses. He recognizes that it’s a battle of wits between computers and criminals, and they must harness every technological advantage available to overcome the challenges posed by nefarious porch pirates. UPS’s AI-powered DeliveryDefense is paving the way for a safer and more secure holiday season, ensuring that every precious package reaches its destination unharmed.
Conclusion:
The utilization of AI by UPS to combat package theft addresses a growing concern in the market. As the problem of porch piracy escalates, customers and merchants are seeking more secure delivery options. UPS’s DeliveryDefense offers a viable solution, potentially reducing losses and providing added security during the holiday season and beyond. This innovative approach aligns with market demands for enhanced delivery security and customer satisfaction, positioning UPS as a leader in addressing the evolving challenges of package theft in the modern world.
