The 2024 Silmo optical fair, in Paris from 20-23 September, is getting ready to welcome the world’s optics sector with more than 900 exhibitors participating in the event and 1,500 brands from 144 countries looking forward to showcasing their offers.
Silmo Paris remains committed to staying at the forefront of all aesthetic and technological challenges facing the industry, said organisers. Looking to the future, the fair offers visitors an in-depth look at the latest technological developments, product innovations and trends that are shaping the future of the optics industry on a global scale, they said.
One such transformative trend is the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), said Eric Lenoir, director of the Silmo trade fairs. “From smart, AI-equipped eyeglass design to revolutionary tools for opticians, the possibilities are wide reaching. Imagine eyewear that can instantly translate a language through an integrated camera or mechanisms that pre-emptively detect serious health issues such as heart attacks or Parkinson's disease. This rapid development requires the rapid adaptation of professionals because without adequate training, AI could potentially replace traditional opticians.”
At the same time, the emergence of technologies such as in-shop 3D printing are redefining eyewear fabrication with increased automation reducing the impact on the environment, he said. “This transformation will enable opticians to focus on high added-value services, becoming genuine consultants for visual comfort and preventive healthcare, even integrating functions such as audio technology and fall prevention.”
To remain essential players, professionals must reinvent the shop experience, re-centring the offer on customer service and innovation, while reworking the economic model to stay competitive in the coming decade, he said.
