The shipping giant UPS has harnessed artificial intelligence (AI) to combat package theft by “porch pirates” and enhance the delivery experience for customers.

They have implemented a system called DeliveryDefense, developed by UPS Capital, which leverages AI and machine learning to assess delivery risks.

This assessment draws upon two years of UPS delivery data, historical loss trends, and address attributes to generate a score.

Retailers can then use this score to suggest the most suitable delivery method to ensure a package reaches its intended destination securely, Fox Business reported.

“By proactively identifying and addressing potential shipping issues, DeliveryDefense data increases the confidence in a successful delivery,” Mark Robinson, president of UPS Capital, told FOX Business in a statement. “Retailers can recommend alternative delivery options, such as UPS Store locations or other convenient Access Points, to optimize delivery outcomes.”

Package theft has become a growing concern for consumers.

A study conducted by Security.org revealed that as of 2022, approximately 49 million Americans experienced the theft of at least one package within the past year.

The stolen items typically had a median value of $50, leading to an estimated total of $2.4 billion in stolen goods over the course of the previous year, based on incident rates and average losses.

Written by staff