Panelists discover usage of AI and IoT in packaging design

Moderated by Krunal Goda of Anant Tattva, the panel consisted of Kaustubh Kulkarni of Wockhardt, Vedant Bhalwatkar of Unilever, Diwakar Bharadwaj of Polycab India, and Tabrez Shaikh of Esko.

AI in packaging design empowers in generative packaging concepts and creative explorations, and generating dynamic concept boards. As per Esko’s survey report, today, only 13% of packaging teams use AI, while 29% are exploring it. A majority 58% still don’t.

Tabrez Shaikh of Esko backed by saying that India is the second-largest consumption market of AI after the US. The session was a catch up, not completely on the latest trends, but from the concept part of it. The concept of AI and how it is going to evolve.

Diwakar Bharadwaj believes that AI is there for support, it can help improve efficiency in terms of its support, assistance, and it’s easy to use. While in the case of IoT, he said, “Machines talk to each other based on lots of data.” Through this, Polycab India defines the raw material, specifications, packaging movement on the conveyor, and completes the operation with the systems installed.

Shaikh alluded to the fact that AI is reducing bottlenecks in packaging design. AI can be used with your own built-in rules—building a version of rules, or even rules for text or font. He said, “AI helps us develop a holistic approach on how consumers are adapting with the change of the product preferences, and how to measure cost of development.”

Kaustubh Kulkarni spoke about how Wokhardt is taking measures. The company is taking a digital approach and has focused on minimising the documentation such as specifications sheet. While Vedant Bhalwatkar emphasised more the use of AI.

He believes that AI can be used to get the best possible outcome of what the consumers want, and work on that. He said, “Rather than opting the conventional approach of benchmarking and using traditional methods to speak to your customers, AI can simplify that.”

The session moderator, Krunal Goda posed the question, “How can the design, operations, delivery and marketing align with AI integration into the ecosystem?”

Bharadwaj responded by mentioning that packaging is the only thing that makes sure the product reaches the customer. “AI cannot replace the way of perspective that makes the packaging reach the product, and make the product reach consumers,” he added.