The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in the Postal Sector

Abstract

The worldwide postal network is considered a critical national infrastructure for economic development, and it plays a strategic role in digital inclusion initiatives. The digital economy propels the adoption of emerging technologies by providing services to citizens, businesses and other government organizations. Artificial intelligence tends to improve capacity, efficiency, flexibility, safety, and cost effectiveness of services. Data is increasingly important in its ability to offer everyone access to digital services, products and networks translating to socio-economic, health and business benefits. The post has therefore become a veritable tool for helping governments to successfully achieve its national and regional transformation strategies. The objectives of this study were to examine how artificial intelligence technology will drastically impact the normal operations of postal sectors by using drones, robotics, automated machine to communicate with customers, assist supply chain, and improve transport services and logistics. The method used for the study is completely based on the objectives to survey individuals and businesses via non-random selection. A convenience sample of primary data was collected from 200 respondents through questionnaire, but the valid respondents were 174 only. Survey impacts were divided into four categories: e-post and e-government; e-commerce; e-financial and payment solutions; and address verification. This digital transformation has been tested by verifying the citizen’s addresses and it showed excellent performance. It was observed that the post is the closest to the citizen and therefore can generate more data for government decision making. In conclusion, digitalization is fast reducing the business of processing data and transforming mailing activities around the world. Technologies have dramatically opened the way for small and medium-sized businesses to participate in the digital economy through e-commerce. There are, however, a few shortcomings of the system which will require changes to existing legal and regulatory frameworks that will affect the postal sector. It is advised that the post partners with the government as a first alternative one-stop-shop to all public authority services, due to the data managed by the postal service.