In just a short time, artificial intelligence (AI) has moved to close to the center of the conversation about where the business of graphic communications is headed. Consider the fact that PRINTING United Expo 2025 lists no fewer than 11 exhibition categories that reference AI. The show’s organizers have become premier sponsors of the Imagine AI Live conference, a venue for the technologies of OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and other AI headliners.

Entering the term in the news and articles search box at the WhatTheyThink home page reveals how much expert attention is now being paid to a topic that most in the industry would have had little acquaintance with just two or three years ago. The latest issue of the WhatTheyThink Quarterly Journal dives deep into the implications of AI for automation, production efficiency, “smart factory” operations, and even human resources management.

One thing that the coverage makes clear is that print service providers now can use ready-made AI solutions to streamline many aspects of their businesses. With the help of these AI tools, they can (for example) create more compelling content, improve customer communications, strengthen marketing outreach, and better manage their supply chains.