1. GITEX GLOBAL 2024 is bringing together the international tech community under the overarching theme “Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI Economy.” In your view, how crucial are public-private collaborations for developing the next generation of AI-powered tech solutions?
Since 1942, Epson’s focus has always been on delivering unique value through innovative and creative solutions. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have played a significant role in developing and supporting many of these key technologies, and we anticipate the next generation of AI-powered innovations will be developed with the collaborative support of companies and governments.
Epson is striving to combine our expertise in imaging and printing technologies with broader innovations in AI to enhance our solutions and meet evolving customer needs. PPPs support our work by addressing industry challenges, driving technological advancements, and contributing to a more sustainable future for businesses and consumers alike.
Among recent examples of work in this area, Epson is supporting public-private partnerships in Japan to enable the creation of robot-friendly environments as a means of solving societal issues. As a provider of automation solutions, Epson is contributing to the development of a low-cost, high-productivity, and space-saving system through collaboration with members of the technical committee.
2. How is the rapid advancement of AI technologies influencing your industry sector?
According to PWC, the Middle East is expected to accrue 2% of the total global benefits of AI by 2030 – which is equivalent to USD 320 billion.
AI technologies touch upon many of our key sectors, with a significant impact on imaging and printing solutions in particular. For Epson, AI helps enhance product performance and efficiency, supports digital transformation, and helps meet regional goals for smart infrastructure and sustainability.
In 2023, Epson and its subsidiary company Epson X Investment Corporation invested in the Japanese startup company, AI Silk Corporation, through a joint fund. This startup was spun out of Tohoku University, Japan, and develops and manufactures a high-performance conductive textile called "LEAD SKIN,” which can be used as materials for automotive parts and wearable devices.
Epson decided to invest in AI Silk because it sees LEAD SKIN as an interface technology for converting biological data captured through daily life into new value – reflecting the enormous changes this new technology is delivering.
3. How is your business adopting and integrating AI innovation?
Epson is leveraging AI to enhance many aspects of its business within smart manufacturing to improve quality control, streamline production workflows, and ensure better efficiency.
AI enables Epson to optimize logistics, supply chain management, and resource allocation. AI also assists Epson with sustainability initiatives to monitor and manage the environmental impact of its solutions. The Epson 25Renewed Corporate Vision aims to improve quality of life by using AI and digital technologies to connect people to information captured by sensors.
4. Beyond AI, what innovations do you believe will shape the future of your industry and which regions do you foresee leading these advancements by 2025?
Epson foresees many advancements in printing technologies, sustainability, and IoT integration shaping the future of the industry. Sustainability is a growing priority in the Middle East, especially within the UAE.
Innovations such as new printing materials, eco-friendly solutions, and smarter devices are expected to drive progress. Epson has committed an investment of €770 million to furthering sustainable innovation and to becoming carbon negative and underground resource free by 2050.
Epson has also been at the forefront of robotics solutions for more than 40 years, refining original core manufacturing technologies by combining sensing and smart technologies. We are expanding the applications for these technologies to create a future in which robots support people in a wide variety of situations. By providing solutions that make automation easy, we are helping manufacturers use robots to perform tasks conventionally undertaken by humans. Looking ahead, we will contribute to the development of different industries by contributing to automation and manufacturing efficiency.
Epson META-CWA (Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Central & West Asia) is the disruptive regional headquarters for the iconic Japanese technology pioneer. We operate in-market across the world’s most dynamic region, delivering quality and eco-conscious print, visual, manufacturing and lifestyle solutions crafted with care and built around the specific needs of the region’s businesses and consumers.”
Epson has pushed the frontiers of technology for more than 80 years, adhering to its joint philosophies of Sho-Sho-Sei (compact, precise and efficient) and Monozukuri (the art and science of manufacturing). The company produces high quality and eco-conscious solutions in the print, visual, manufacturing and lifestyle categories.
4. What are your motivations and expectations for coming onboard the 44th edition of GITEX GLOBAL in 2024?
GITEX is a core part of Epson’s annual calendar and enables us to showcase new solutions, engage with industry leaders, enhance our relationship with partners, and increase our visibility. Epson is among the longest-standing exhibitors at GITEX and both customers and partners are keen to personally experience the latest technology solutions during the event.
GITEX not only benefits Epson with higher sales and partnership opportunities, but also enables Epson’s stakeholders to learn about new technology trends in the Middle East. This year’s focus on Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI Economy is particularly important for us, because we see international partnership and innovation as essential to achieving our long-term goals for our customers and for our shared planet.
6. Are you planning to launch any products or services, showcase new technologies, or announce partnerships during the event?
This year at GITEX, Epson’s theme will highlight its traditional Japanese heritage as the central theme – emphasizing the importance of sustainable solutions and its commitment to eco-friendly practices.
At the stand, Epson will showcase its full range of cutting-edge printing solutions, featuring Heat-Free Technology. This includes the EcoTank home and business models, as well as WorkForce Pro and WorkForce Enterprise. Additionally, Epson will present its corporate and educational solutions for printing, scanning, and projecting.
Epson will be launching its new industrial color label printer, the ColorWorks-C8000e(BK) in the Middle East. This printer offers easy integration, excellent reliability, high speed, low maintenance and minimal downtime, helping to save both time and money.
Epson’s new premium high-brightness laser projector lineup – the Q-Series 4K 3LCD Laser Projectors – will be officially launched in the META-CW Asia region this GITEX.
With the QL-7000 being the flagship model, the Q-Series solutions are designed to deliver vibrant, true-to-life images for immersive experiences in modern luxury homes -especially for multipurpose living spaces.Visitors can also preview Epson’s new DS-900WNnetwork business scanner which is set to officially launch in December 2024 in the Middle East. At the stand, Epson will also showcase its ultimate cinematic experience with EF-21 and EF-22 home cinema projectors on display. Both projectors are portable, stylish and of high HD quality and surround sound. They also offer seamless connectivity and allow content to be supersized in any direction from walls to ceilings.
In support of the retail sector, Epson will display its POS receipt printers, ColorWorks label printers, and digital signage solutions. Epson will also showcase its immersive and interactive technology solutions, complemented by unique Japanese fan elements.
7. As a global platform for tech enterprises and industry leaders, how does GITEX GLOBAL contribute to the future of your industry?
GITEX is the Middle East’s leading technology event focused on innovation and developing solutions that address some of the region’s most pressing challenges. Each year, Epson Middle East aims to showcase new solutions to deliver a more immersive and sustainable customer experience in projection and printing.
We look forward to meeting like-minded individuals, including customers and partners, to showcase our sustainable technology solutions as well as sharing best practices with global leaders attending the event.
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