U.S. Postal Service is adopting AI tech to process package data faster

D.C.-based United States Postal Service (USPS) has adopted an AI technology from California-based NVIDIA to help process mail 10 times faster and more accurately.

USPS is an independent agency responsible for providing postal service throughout the U.S., processing about 146 billion pieces of mail annually, including more than 6 billion packages.

Founded in 1993, NVIDIA designs graphics processing units (GPU) for companies working in the gaming, robotics, healthcare and automotive industries, as well as other AI tech for mobile computing. The partnership with USPS was announced at NVIDIA’s fourth annual GPU Technology Conference in D.C. last week.

Announcing the United States Postal Service — the world’s largest delivery service, with 146 billion pieces of mail processed and delivered annually—is adopting NVIDIA #AI technology to process mail 10x faster. #GTC19

— NVIDIA AI (@NVIDIAAI) November 5, 2019

The end-to-end AI system has servers powered by NVIDIA’s deep learning software to train multiple AI algorithms, a press release states. These trained models will then be deployed to nearly 200 U.S.-based postal service facilities using NVIDIA computing systems to speed up package data processing. USPS is buying the systems powered by NVIDIA under a contract with Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

“AI is transforming multiple industries, enabling processes, accuracy and efficiency not possible before,” Anthony Robbins, VP of the federal sector business at NVIDIA, said in a statement. “The U.S. Postal Service’s adoption of AI demonstrates how this powerful technology can improve an excellent service that we rely on every day. Benjamin Franklin would be proud.”

NVIDIA reported that system testing will begin this year, with plans to be fully operational by spring 2020.