Keypoint Intelligence, which has recently launched an AI advisory service to the office enterprise market, said it is now actively searching for printing companies to participate in the print industry study.
Inviting companies to take part in one-hour qualitative interviews, Anne Valaitis, Keypoint Intelligence’s principal analyst, told Printweek: “The study aims to provide valuable insights and a roadmap for print service providers, vendors, and the production space to effectively adopt and implement AI solutions, potentially leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and innovation. The study will also explore how robotics can impact the printing industry.”
Interviews will take place over April to May 2024, with the final report due late August.
Keypoint analysts led by Greg Cholmondeley, principal analyst of production workflow, and Riley McNulty, group director of consulting, will speak to printing firms, machine manufacturers, and companies within the robotics and AI sectors to understand more about how automation is changing the industry.
Valaitis said: “AI is already making its presence felt in the digital imaging industry, with various products and solutions entering the market. Print service providers are showing a keen interest in exploring and experimenting with AI tools, such as Adobe Firefly, ChatGPT, and Midjourney.
“As AI continues to evolve, it is expected to bring significant changes and opportunities to the industry, streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and enabling innovative applications. We will of course have an eye out for announcements at Drupa.”
She added that while initial impressions seem to show that US printing firms have further developed their automation than UK companies, further evidence was needed.
“Based on anecdotal evidence, it appears that US printers are more actively experimenting with AI tools, while their UK counterparts are currently in an observation phase,” she said.
“The special study referenced above will shed light on this question. However, it is important to note that the industry as a whole is still in the early stages of AI adoption, and regional differences in the pace of experimentation and implementation may vary.”
