The printing industry is at a pivotal moment of transformation: artificial intelligence (AI) is shifting from pilot projects to real, measurable impact.

And the latest report from PRINTING United Alliance titled “AI Adoption in the Printing Industry: From Curiosity to Competitive Advantage,” shows AI is no longer an optional “nice to have:” rather, it’s quickly becoming a competitive necessity.

Yet according to Forbes, there’s a “significant and persistent” gender gap in AI adoption. A Harvard Business School report found that for every 100 men using generative AI tools, only 78 women are doing the same—a disparity that threatens to widen the leadership divide in industries already working toward gender parity.

A LinkedIn analysis of why women risk being left behind cited ethical concerns, lack of accessible training, fear of being perceived as overly reliant on AI, and the sheer overwhelm of keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology.

That’s precisely why it’s crucial for women in print to stay informed about the latest research, applications, and real-world use cases of AI in the industry.

Consider the above-mentioned (and free!) report as your starting point. Based on survey responses from more than 300 printing companies and interviews with executives across commercial printing, sign and graphics, book manufacturing, and apparel decoration, the study reveals both the promise and the challenges of AI in print.

Download the full report here.