AI IN PRINT
Intelligent design AI was the hot topic of 2023, as the hype about it started to convert into real-world applications that can make working life more efficient. But how is AI influencing the print sector now and what applications does it have for businesses – and how will it affect how print works going forward?
Artificial intelligence (AI) was the emerging technology of 2023. Kick-started by the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, AI was seemingly on everyone’s lips. As the technology developed rapidly, so did the applications for businesses in all sectors, including print, to help increase efficiency productivity and – most importantly – profitability. AI is now having an increasing impact on the print sector, for manufacturers, resellers and end users alike. “AI already is having a positive impact on the print industry in unique and diverse ways,” says Arjan Paulussen, managing director, Lexmark UK, Western Europe and English-speaking Africa. “For example, Lexmark’s managed print services uses AI to predict tech support on printers sitting at customer sites. We can anticipate and prevent a vast majority of printing disruptions before they occur and resolve 70% of issues remotely before it becomes a problem. The same goes for printing supplies: AI predicts when a Lexmark customer will be low on toner and can automatically ship them new cartridges to ensure no gaps in their supplies.” Arjan adds that AI is directly touching the print job itself. “Lexmark has developed an AI- imbued Translations Assistant that automatically translates any content in more than 100
languages right on our printers,” he says. “It helps break down language barriers that have traditionally hampered customer interactions in the health and government sectors. “AI is also having an impact on Lexmark’s own operations. For example, on our manufacturing line, we’ve married AI with IoT to create AI-enabled smart cameras that automate the visual inspection of assembled printers. The heavy data processing required to do this occurs where the camera sits, all made possible by AI. We’ve produced a 40% improvement in inspection speed, a 99% reduction in errors and a return on investment – all within three months.” Potential realised Arjan adds that customers are also becoming increasingly aware of the potential that AI has to help how their businesses run. “AI is the key tech in the public spotlight, so Lexmark customers are inquiring about how it can help their print infrastructure,” he says. “Their baseline priorities boil down to: one – can it streamline my operations? Two – can it reduce my costs? Lexmark is creating practical and real-world applications for AI. “Going back to our managed print services, we are seeing a 25% increase in profitability due to better utilisation of devices in the field. AI is extending the life of those devices. They
Arjan Paulussen, managing director,
UK, Western Europe & English-Speaking Africa
lexmark.com
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We’ve married
AI with IoT to create AI-enabled smart cameras that automate the visual inspection of assembled printers.
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