What’s Happening?
With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation, many traditional jobs are changing including those in the postal service. Across the world, postal clerks who once sorted letters, managed parcels, and helped customers at counters are seeing their roles reduced or replaced by AI-powered machines and digital systems.
How AI Is Replacing Postal Clerks
AI can now:
- Sort letters and parcels using smart machines with barcode readers and robotic arms.
- Handle customer queries through chatbots and self-service kiosks.
- Track and manage shipments using automated systems.
- Digitally scan documents and process forms without human help.
This reduces the need for manual work, cuts costs for postal companies, and speeds up services but it also puts many postal clerk jobs at risk.
Why This Is a Concern
In India and many other countries, thousands of people are employed as postal clerks especially in small towns and rural areas. For them, this job is not just about letters it’s their livelihood.
- If not managed carefully, automation could lead to:
- Job loss for skilled and semi-skilled workers
- Loss of human touch in customer service
- Digital divide, where older or less tech-savvy people struggle with machines
How Can We Protect and Save These Jobs?
1. Reskill and Upskill Workers
- Train existing staff to operate and manage AI systems
- Teach them computer basics, data entry, and digital customer service
- Introduce AI awareness programs for postal employees
2. Create Hybrid Roles
- Combine technology with human support
- Let machines handle sorting, but humans manage customer relationships, special services, and local deliveries
3. Focus on Rural & Personal Services
- In rural areas, people still prefer face-to-face communication
- Postal clerks can offer additional services like banking (India Post Payments Bank), government form help, and identity verification
4. Government Support & Policies
- Implement job protection schemes for postal workers
- Offer special training grants or scholarships for skill upgrades
- Involve postal employees in digital literacy missions
Real-Life Example: India Post
India Post has begun adopting AI and digital systems, but still maintains its human workforce especially for last-mile delivery and rural services. The goal should be technology with humanity, not technology instead of humanity.
Final Thoughts
AI is here to stay but that doesn’t mean people must lose their jobs. With the right planning, postal clerks can become digital service facilitators, not just letter handlers.
It’s time to think ahead: adapt, learn, and stay relevant in a changing world.
