AI is gradually taking over the world. It isn’t hard to say. We are seeing how AI has already made its place in our daily life. From entertaining videos to new apps, from recipes to online classes or gaming to music generation etc., everything seems to be coming from AI. You would hardly find any industry that doesn’t report its reach. I don’t think packaging is beyond its reach.
This topic seems to be interesting enough to write another book. Right now, I have 4 books in my kitty. And 3 out of it received a great response. My latest book – “20 Things I learnt from world’s top packaging professionals” has a similar approach. Both, AI and this book come from learning that grew with experience. My 19 years in this industry is just like a book in which AI has played its part as an important chapter.
Let’s see how packaging industry is changing with AI. It can intervene and change the entire working, but we’ll start with designing. Packaging design with AI enables rapid, personalized, and sustainable solutions through generative AI, 3D prototyping, and visual analytics. It accelerates ideation, optimizes material usage for sustainability, and predicts design trends, allowing for faster, more cost-effective development. Various tools are there to help design the packaging from basics. For example, Adobe Firefly (in Illustrator/ Express) is an Ai powered tool that allow for rapid concept creation, pattern generation, and 3D visualization. Predominant feature of this tool is generative recolor and editing option. It helps in changes the color palettes in vector artwork and edit the photos to remove distractions for professional looks.
AI in production is perfecting the procedures. On floor production, AI proves to be fantastic at finding the variations and errors. Quality control is one of the best jobs that AI can do. Vision systems powered by machine learning can detect defects such as misregistration, color variation, or barcode readability issues at high speeds. Intravis SleeveWatcher or Silgan Equipments are a few examples of AI powered tools which improves quality check process. Intravis SleeveWatcher has highspeed in error detection and it supports a completely new illumination concept that reduces the risk of reflection. On the other hand Silgan Equipments uses high-resolution GigE Flir cameras and Windows 10 software to inspect bottles and caps for defects such as cocked, loose, skewed, or missing caps.
Apart from this, machine learning predicts maintenance needs for applicators and tunnels, reducing downtime and energy use in heat-shrinking operations. Automated, AI-powered systems enhance the precision of material cutting and application, directly reducing plastic waste and improving operational efficiency. Smart packaging leverages AI and digital tools such as QR codes and NFC to deliver intelligent labelling that strengthens consumer engagement and end-to-end supply chain traceability.
Here we are discussing the application of AI which is not far off, yet it is difficult to undermine the ongoing practices and processes that are timely updated. We can certainly get faster results, near perfect sleeve and easy process, yet, slow progression is easy to adapt and understand. AI no doubt will be the future but cannot right away take control of everything. AI-enabled progress is also subject to different countries’ regulations, labor laws, demographics and growth. Hence, I believe we must be updated on a timely basis and should be aware of the modern techniques which is already taking over automations.
With all these advantages of AI, I would like to mention one thing. No software or artificial intelligence can ever match upto human brain and its applicability. AI can successfully do which are already in the industry but the human brain can innovate.
With this, I would like to end my article here. You may share your feedback with me at info@tauruspackaging.com or call me at +91 9667400924.