How machine learning AI is quietly transforming office print technology

Generative AI is the kind that writes poems, creates images, or mimics human conversation.

Machine learning AI, on the other hand, is more like a data detective. It analyses information and learns from it. Think of machine learning AI as the quiet analyst in the corner, observing patterns, learning from them, and making predictions. In fact, generative AI models are built using machine learning and related principles.

While our imageFORCE platform can inspire human creativity through its high-quality printing, it’s not designed to write poetry or have conversations. Instead, it’s focused on reliability and security, using real-world data to deliver class-leading performance.

Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that enables systems to learn from large datasets and improve over time without being explicitly programmed.

Though availability depends on the model, imageFORCE device firmware uses algorithms trained with machine learning AI for two purposes:

• To recommend the optimal security settings for a device based on the characteristics of the network it’s connected to.
• To monitor the state of the main replaceable parts, such as a drum unit or a paper feed roller, predicting when they need to be replaced before they potentially fail – enabling smarter servicing models.

These algorithms are developed and refined at Canon Inc. in Japan, based on data collected from thousands of devices in the field. The result is a printer that doesn’t just print – it uses smart technology to keep your business running seamlessly.

Through the use of machine learning AI to enable predictive maintenance, imageFORCE devices deliver reduced downtime, avoid emergency repairs, and keep the office running smoothly. For IT managers, it’s peace of mind. For businesses, it’s a smarter way to work.

In terms of security, printers are often overlooked as risks and can be vulnerable to cyberattacks because they store and process sensitive data. imageFORCE devices use firmware pretrained with machine learning AI to recommend optimal security configurations, helping organisations with limited IT expertise minimise security vulnerabilities.

We take data privacy extremely seriously at every stage. No personally identifiable or confidential information is used at any point in the machine learning process. The data we collect is anonymised and statistical in nature – think roller temperature and paper feed timings, not IP addresses. There are no addresses, job details, contact details, names, or anything of that nature.

The algorithms underpinning the firmware are trained off-device, and no learning occurs on the printer itself. This approach ensures that privacy isn’t just a feature. It’s a foundation.

It’s data you’d never think twice about. It includes sensor readings like how often paper rollers are cleaned or replaced, and how long it takes paper to move through the machine. Part statuses, drum surface resistance, motor vibrations, temperature and voltage anomalies.

These seemingly mundane details are gold dust for predictive algorithms. They help the system learn what normal looks like, so it can spot when something’s about to go wrong. It’s the difference between a printer that breaks down and one that quietly avoids disaster.

For the security settings recommendation, imageFORCE devices apply machine learning trained algorithms within their firmware to tailor protection based on the network they’re connected to.

Data from imageFORCE devices is sent to secure Canon data centres across Europe, where it’s anonymised and stored securely. Our development teams then use this data to train, test, and fine-tune algorithms before they’re embedded into new firmware updates.

These updates are deployed globally, helping imageFORCE devices evolve with smarter, more responsive features. At every step, Canon ensures that the data remains anonymised and protected.

It’s all about patterns. By feeding the AI thousands of examples of how devices behave – both when they’re working well and when they’re about to fail – the system learns to recognise the early warning signs.

Over time, it becomes better at predicting issues before they happen. This continuous learning loop means that the more devices we have in the field, the smarter the system becomes. It’s a type of collective intelligence, built from the quiet hum of printers around the world.

Organisations of all sizes are seeing a lot of excitement about AI’s potential, balanced with justified cautiousness about security and effectiveness. That’s particularly true with generative AI, where leaders are scrambling to understand how this rapidly evolving technology can add value to their businesses.

imageFORCE offers a practical, purposeful application of machine learning that makes office print and scan technology smarter, safer, and more reliable. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t write poems. It focuses on what matters: performance, protection, and peace of mind.