HP Puts AI in Your Printer: What CES 2026 Means for Small Business

CES 2026 brought some genuinely surprising news from the printer world — and no, we're not being sarcastic. HP announced the first integration of Microsoft Copilot directly into office printers, Epson completed its exit from laser printing entirely, and Canon showcased next-generation label printing.

Let's break down what actually matters for your business.

HP + Microsoft Copilot: AI on Your Printer's Touchscreen

HP's new "HP for Microsoft 365 Copilot" integration puts AI capabilities directly on the touchscreen of HP multifunction printers. Here's what it can do:

• Scan and summarize — scan a document and get an AI-generated summary
• Auto-naming — intelligent file naming based on document content
• Cloud organization — automatic filing to OneDrive/SharePoint
• Translation — on-the-fly translation of scanned documents
• Guided redaction — AI identifies and helps you block sensitive information before printing

The redaction feature is actually interesting from a security perspective. How many times has someone at your office accidentally printed a document with Social Security numbers, account details, or confidential client information visible? AI-powered redaction could genuinely prevent data leaks.

The Catch

This will be available as part of HP's Workpath Premium bundle — meaning a subscription. HP hasn't announced pricing yet, but expect it to follow the industry trend of turning hardware features into monthly services.

Our Take

The AI features are genuinely useful, but small businesses should ask: 1. Do I actually need AI on my printer, or would a $15/month Microsoft 365 subscription do the same thing? 2. What data is flowing through the printer to the cloud for AI processing? 3. Am I comfortable with another subscription on top of my printer purchase?

For most Valley businesses, the answer is probably "wait and see." The technology is promising but unproven, and you shouldn't let flashy CES demos drive your purchasing decisions. That's exactly the kind of unbiased analysis the team at Wisetechy Solutions helps businesses work through.

Epson Officially Exits Laser Printing

As of early 2026, Epson has completely stopped manufacturing laser printers. They're going all-in on their Heat-Free inkjet technology, claiming:

• 85% less CO2 emissions compared to laser
• 59% fewer replaceable components
• Lower energy consumption (no heat fusion required)

What This Means for You

If you currently own an Epson laser printer, it's not going to stop working. But: - Replacement parts and toner will become harder to find over time - Support will eventually wind down - When it's time to replace, your options narrow

For businesses buying new, Epson's EcoTank and WorkForce Pro inkjet lines are excellent for high-volume color printing. But for high-speed monochrome document printing (think law offices, accounting firms), laser is still king — you'll just need to look at Brother, HP, Canon, or the newly merged Xerox-Lexmark lineup.

Canon at CES 2026

Canon took a broader approach at CES, showcasing emerging technologies through their Business Innovation Group and launching the LG-P800 full-color label printer — an 8-inch-wide label printer for businesses that do their own product labeling.

The Big Picture: Printers Are Getting Smarter

The trend is clear: printers are evolving from "dumb" output devices into intelligent, cloud-connected platforms. This brings real benefits (better document management, automated workflows) but also real risks (more data flowing through more systems, more subscription costs, bigger attack surfaces).

Before you get swept up in the AI printer hype, make sure your current printer is: 1. Firmware updated (most aren't) 2. Password changed from default (most haven't been) 3. On a segmented network (most aren't) 4. Not sending emails that could be spoofed (check with StopSpoofingMe.com)

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Thinking about upgrading your office printer in 2026? Don't let manufacturer marketing drive your decision. Valley Printer Pros provides unbiased recommendations based on your actual needs — not what's trending at CES.

Call us at (818) 574-8240 for a free consultation.

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Sources: HP Newsroom (CES 2026), 91mobiles, Dataconomy, Keypoint Intelligence, Canon U.S.A. Newsroom