The Government Scheme to Help Printers Utilise AI Following the launch of AI Adoption in Manufacturing: A Practical Toolkit from Made Smarter, we speak to Kevin Smith, lead technology specialist at Made Smarter North West, about how print and packaging companies can benefit from the new practical toolkit ational readiness. ‘Pilot’ provides a safe, structured way to test AI in real settings using clear success criteria, human oversight, and appropriate governance. ‘Scale’ focuses on integrating proven AI solutions into everyday operations, so benefits are sustained and repeatable. For printers, that could mean exploring AI around estimating, scheduling, proofing, customer communication, workflow automation, quality reporting, or production planning, starting with tasks, problems, and outcomes, rather than technology for its own sake. Crucially, the toolkit promotes a task-first approach. Businesses start by identifying friction points, bottlenecks, or repetitive processes, and then explore where AI could support improvement. Many businesses still haven’t adopted AI, why do you believe this is the case? For many manufacturers, AI still feels distant, complex, or risky. Printing environments are often highly operational, time-sensitive, and quality-driven, so businesses are understandably cautious about introducing technologies that could disrupt production or customer delivery. There is also a great deal of noise around AI. Many businesses are unsure where it would genuinely help, what systems or data Why would you say AI is now such an important tool for manufacturers and product suppliers? AI is not new to manufacturing. For decades, manufacturers have used rules-based control systems, optimisation algorithms, machine vision, statistical pattern recognition, and anomaly detection, even if they were not labelled as AI. What has changed is how visible and accessible AI has become. Today, more tools are easier to try, more affordable and quicker to apply to everyday problems. For manufacturers, including print manufacturers and suppliers, the real opportunity lies in using AI to support better decisions, reduce wasted effort, and improve how existing processes perform, rather than chasing the latest technology trend. How can the new toolkit from Made Smarter be used by printers and its associated sectors? The toolkit gives a structured framework for businesses to start their AI exploration in a manageable way. At its heart is the ‘Scan, Pilot, Scale’ approach. ‘Scan’ helps businesses cut through the noise, understand what AI really is, and identify opportunities grounded in business value and operThere is also a great deal of noise around AI. Many businesses are unsure where it would genuinely help, what systems or data they need first, or how to test it safely ▲ Kevin Smith, lead technology specialist at Made Smarter North West Q&A | KEVIN SMITH, MADE SMARTER 40 Issue 361 - July | August 2026 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk Could you introduce the Made Smarter programme and its purpose? Made Smarter is the Government-funded national programme helping SME manufacturers adopt digital technologies. Operating across all English regions, the initiative supports businesses through digital transformation workshops, technology advice, digital roadmapping, leadership, and workforce development programmes, digital internships, and funded technology projects. The aim is to help manufacturers improve productivity, resilience, and competitiveness by adopting digital tools in structured and sustainable ways.
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