Over the past couple of years, Artificial intelligence (AI) has been on everyone’s lips – and to me – for good reason. AI won’t just enhance the way we live, but transform it fundamentally. Why? We’ll now, more than ever, speak and act based on the language of data, likewise soft and hard skills which are increasingly essential for tech development, deployment and use for the expected Return on Investment (ROI) in our businesses. So, now is the time to start adopting AI in your process! That is why we’re devoting this edition to series of digitization, automation and optimization inspired SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLES culled from drupa blog (www.drupa.com) to encourage and help you improve your print purchase decisions which AI adoption is one of.
WHAT’S IN THIS 91ST EDITION?
Before we delve into the AI theme; let’s start with the usual – latest trends, special reports and breaking news in our PRINT IMPACT AROUND NIGERIA (from page 10) and PRINT IMPACT AROUND THE WORLD (from page 12) respectively to ensure you are aware of the happenings recorded in the last 2 months in the printing industry both in Nigeria and across the globe.
Then, we continue with the educative and informative SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLES on AI from pages 14 and 15 on: AI IN THE MEDIA AND PRINTING INDUSTRY written by Knud Wasserman – Editor in Chief of Graphische Revue which introduces us to the subject matter. After which the next titled: BLOCKCHAIN IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY: PRECISE VERIFICATION, AUTHENTICITY, AND SUPPLY TRACKING (on pages 16 and 17) examines the benefits the printing industry can gain from the integration of blockchain technology. IMPLEMENTATION OF AI-SUPPORTED WORKFLOW OPTIMIZATION IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY follows on pages 20 and 21 where we look in detail at the various approaches and examples of AI implementation in the printing industry with analysis of their impact on the sector. With cybersecurity an essential issue in digital printing, turn to pages 28 and 29 for: CYBERSECURITY IN THE AGE OF DIGITAL PRINTING: PROTECTING YOUR PRINTS AND DATA which highlights some innovative developments worth adopting in your production process to wade off any security threat in your AI adoption. Finally, the last SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLE on AI in this edition shows why you should integrate AI into your printing process. Flip over to pages 40, 41 and 42 to read and know about: AI IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY: 8 REASONS TO INTEGRATE AI INTO THE PRINTING PROCESS then start your AI journey.
After all said and done about AI; you will need the customers to patronize your AI-inspired services. This is why our COVER STORY for this issue titled: 5 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS AND INCREASE YOUR PROFITABILITY will help as it examines how print service providers like you can use software to bridge communication gap with your customers and create new business opportunities. Turn to pages 22, 23 and 24 to know how.
Springing from bridging communication gap, one of our SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEWS in this edition is with Mr. Somesh Adukia – Managing Director of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA). WHERE To Print desire to know what his company has in store for the growing African market provokes his response: ”OUR COMMITMENT TO AFRICA EXTENDS BEYOND BUSINESS’’ which explains more about Canon’s commitment to our region. Flip over to page 19 to read the full interview. The next exclusive’ interview is with Mr. Mark J. Subers of PRINTING United Alliance (organiser of PRINTING United Expo) who promises to deliver value and opportunity for all within printing industry segments at the upcoming North America’s biggest print & allied show – PRINTING United Expo 2024 from 10 to 12 September at Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas Nevada USA. His promises can be found out from the SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW titled: “WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A VALUE DRIVEN EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY PARTICIPANT AT PRINTING UNITED EXPO 2024”.
The other insightful pre-show news report is on the forthcoming PROPAK West Africa 2024 which coincidentally will take place on same date: 10 to 12 September 2024 however at Landmark Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. The news is captioned: PROPAK WEST AFRICA 2024 CONFERENCE PROGRAM ANNOUNCED detailing what visitors will gain from not just attending West Africa’s leading exhibition and conference for the packaging, plastics, printing and food processing show to network with world-leading exhibitors but also learning and gaining from top industry leaders from the 2024 Conference line up. Turn to pages 30, 31 and 32 to know more about the programme.
BACK TO OUR AI THEME:
AI has come to stay. It’s left to you to decide on what to make use of it to determine your future. I will only enjoin you to properly digest and take inspiration from all the AI-inspired SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLES in this bumper edition. My take is that; though AI may not take your job but it will definitely increase the efficiency, turnaround times, quality and ROI of those who adopt it. I wholly support what ‘Professional Mad Scientist’ the Executive Chair and Co-Founder of Socos Labs, Vivienne Ming said:
“I think the future of global competition is, unambiguously, about creative talent, and I’m far from the only person who sees this as the main competition point going forward. Everyone will have access to amazing AI. Your vendor on that will not be a huge differentiator. Your creative talent though – that will be who you are. Instead of chasing that race to the bottom on labour costs, invest in turning your talent into a team of explorers who can solve amazing problems using AI as the tool that takes the busy work out. That is the company that wins in the end.” So, the right time to start winning is now!
As I enjoin you to continually do good; see you at the top starting with AI adoption!
