Trend 4 AI Is Finding Its Way Into Promo’s Workflow Prediction: AI will become a standard operating layer for promo firms in 2026. PPAI Research does not predict that AI will effectively replace people, but these tools can be wisely incorporated, especially into numerous small tasks that will add up to increase efficiency for companies that are operating on a large scale or want to be. Five core workstreams that firms can expect AI to become more prevalent across include: • Artwork and Design: instant cleanup, layout options, mockups and brand aligned templates • Marketing: campaign messaging, visuals, proposals and content tailored to buyer needs • Operations: quoting support, workflow automation and reduced rework • Sales Enablement: faster proposals, product research and more accurate sourcing insights • Forecasting and Personalization: smarter inventory planning, demand prediction and scalable personalization With promo companies growing and needing to maximize efficiency, many have moved past the experimentation phase when it comes to artificial intelligence. Now, they have fully integrated elements of the technology into their everyday workflows. Recent PPAI insights suggest that nearly a quarter of participating firms said that AI was already part of their internal processes, and more than two-thirds of firms (69.2%) said they were somewhere in the onboarding process when it came to AI technology. Areas like marketing and artwork show the biggest gains in terms of incorporating AI. In these fields, the technology can speed artwork cleanup, proofread for errors and support creative output. • Operational teams are using AI to streamline quoting, assist with product research, improve order accuracy and reduce manual administrative work. 69.2% Onboard and using AI across different parts of the business 23.1% Significant operational role using AI 7.7% Not focused on AI Source: PPAI 100 Supplier Sales Insights Is AI used in your operations? PPAI • JANUARY 2026 • 45 2026 New-ish Trends | Must Read
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