Artificial intelligence continues to generate a lot of buzz while it gains momentum in applications across myriad industries. It remains to be seen how much staying power and widespread application AI will have, but it seems to have tremendously more potential than some other recent “next big things”. (Remember how just a few years ago, 3D printing was going to revolutionize our lives? That fizzled quickly.) AI has many current and potential applications in the printing industry, including:
- performing customer service
- creating estimates
- generating art
- extending bleeds (an omnipresent need)
- improving image quality (another omnipresent need)
- writing marketing copy
- checking copyrights
- developing website content
- creating web-to-print stores
- writing sales proposals
- selecting data for marketing campaigns
- production scheduling
- automating prepress workflow
- imposing images in large format applications
- providing predictive maintenance on equipment
- performing operational analytics
Closely related to the advances in AI are the rapidly increasing proficiencies of robots, which have ever more AI-driven learning and decision-making capabilities. Their speed, dexterity, and overall skill levels are progressing to the point that they are becoming viable options for real-world use. Robots are expected to be implemented in print production environments within the next few years, where they will supplement human employees and even help reduce operating costs. Tasks that they may be used for include loading and unloading digital presses, handling and transporting materials, sorting and packaging orders, performing order picking and shipment preparation, operating print finishing equipment, and many other tasks. It will be fascinating to see how they can be effectively integrated into our operations.