Bits & Bots for Business - by Rocking Rose Technology

Episode two of Bits and Bots for Business looks at a question that is showing up across software, print, signage and manufacturing alike: what happens when teams expect new technology to solve problems they have not properly defined in the first place? In this episode, I explore why so many AI projects struggle to deliver consistent value in day-to-day operations. The issue is rarely the speed or capability of the technology itself. Drawing on ideas from specification-driven development in software, I connect those lessons back to production environments, where the same pattern can play out in different ways. Whether it is signage artwork missing key production details, packaging files arriving with conflicting instructions, or teams expecting automation to resolve ambiguity, the result is often the same: AI can accelerate the work, but it can also accelerate the chaos. The episode includes selected excerpts from my conversation with Ivo Dusch, Global Business Development Manager at Canon Production Printing, about Height IQ — an AI-powered application designed to simplify a specific part of the elevated print workflow. Giving a practical example of what happens when AI is applied to a tightly defined problem rather than treated as a catch-all solution. I examine why human review still matters, how bottlenecks shift when one task becomes faster, and why better outcomes usually start with better definitions. It is a strong listen for anyone trying to make sense of how to implement AI in real production settings — and for anyone interested in how clearer thinking upstream can lead to better workflow downstream, in any industry.

This first episode of Bits and Bots for Business is drawn from a PrintFM broadcast recorded on International Print Day in October 2025, capturing the kind of conversation Steph likes best: smart, practical and full of real-world insight. In this episode, Stephanie is joined by Lindy Hughson, Managing Editor and Publisher of PKN and Print21,  and President of the IPPO, along with Deborah Corn, for a lively discussion about packaging, print, automation, AI, sustainability and the technologies reshaping how products are made, tracked, recycled and understood. What follows is thoughtful, occasionally funny, and full of ideas that connect print to broader business and technology questions. From direct-to-can printing and hybrid press technology to RFID, 2D barcodes, digital product passports and the future of flexible packaging, this conversation explores where smarter systems and human ingenuity are starting to meet in meaningful ways. It is a great listen for anyone curious about where print, packaging and technology are headed next — and how those changes are starting to play out in business.

Bits & Bots for Business is a Rocking Rose podcast for leaders, operators, and founders who sit at the intersection of technology, automation, and real-world business. Hosted by Stephanie Gaddin, it cuts through hype to focus on what actually works—systems, decisions, tools, and thinking that help organisations scale, stabilise, or evolve in practical ways. Clear conversations about how bits (technology) and bots (automation and AI) show up in everyday business operations. Produced under the Rocking Rose brand, the podcast carries a distinct voice: curious, commercially grounded, and occasionally sharp-edged. Each episode is designed to respect your time and intelligence, whether you are navigating growth, governance, digital debt, or change fatigue. Bits & Bots for Business is for people who make decisions, live with the consequences, and want technology to be an asset—not another problem to manage.