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  • HP Inc. Reports Fiscal 2025 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results

    HP Inc. Reports Fiscal 2025 Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results

    Net revenue and EPS results
    HP Inc. and its subsidiaries (“HP”) announced fiscal 2025 net revenue of $55.3 billion, up 3.2% (up 3.7% in constant currency) from the prior-year period.
     
    Fiscal 2025 GAAP diluted net EPS was $2.65, down from $2.81 in the prior-year. Fiscal 2025 non-GAAP diluted net EPS was $3.12, down from $3.43 in the prior-year period. Fiscal 2025 non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS exclude after-tax adjustments of $443 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets, certain litigation charges (benefits), net, non-operating retirement-related credits, tax adjustments, and the related tax impact on these items.
     
    Fourth quarter net revenue was $14.6 billion, up 4.2% (up 3.8% in constant currency) from the prior-year period.
     
    Fourth quarter GAAP diluted net EPS was $0.84, down from $0.93 in the prior-year period and within the previously provided outlook of $0.75 to $0.85. Fourth quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS was $0.93, down from $0.96 in the prior-year period and within the previously provided outlook of $0.87 to $0.97. Fourth quarter non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS excludes after-tax adjustments of $82 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets, certain litigation charges (benefits), net, tax adjustments, and the related tax impact on these items.
     
    “HP’s strategy to lead the Future of Work continues to deliver strong performance, marked by our sixth consecutive quarter of revenue growth,” said Enrique Lores, President and CEO of HP Inc. “Our FY25 results reinforce the power of our portfolio and the strength of our team in a dynamic environment. As we accelerate innovation across AI-powered devices to drive productivity, security, and flexibility for our customers, our focus for FY26 is on disciplined execution. We are committed to driving measurable results – ensuring that our plans translate into long-term value for our shareholders.”
     
    “Our FY25 results reflect solid execution in an evolving environment, where we drove strong profit improvement in the back half of the year and returned $1.9 billion dollars to shareholders,” said Karen Parkhill, CFO, HP Inc. “Looking forward, we are taking decisive actions to mitigate recent cost headwinds and are investing in AI-enabled initiatives to accelerate product innovation, improve customer satisfaction, and boost productivity. We are confident these actions will strengthen our foundation and position us for long-term growth.”
     
    Asset management
    HP generated $3.7 billion in net cash provided by operating activities and $2.9 billion of free cash flow in fiscal 2025. Free cash flow includes net cash provided by operating activities of $3.7 billion adjusted for net investments in leases from integrated financing of $131 million and net investments in property, plant, equipment and purchased intangibles of $897 million. HP utilized $850 million of cash during fiscal 2025 to repurchase approximately 29.5 million shares of common stock in the open market. When combined with the $1.1 billion of cash used to pay dividends, HP returned 66% of its free cash flow to shareholders in fiscal 2025.
     
    HP’s net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 was $1.6 billion. Accounts receivable ended the quarter at $5.7 billion, up 2 days quarter over quarter to 35 days. Inventory ended the quarter at $8.5 billion, down 2 days quarter over quarter to 66 days. Accounts payable ended the quarter at $18.1 billion, up 1 day quarter over quarter to 139 days.
     
    HP generated $1.5 billion of free cash flow in the fourth quarter. Free cash flow includes net cash provided by operating activities of $1.6 billion adjusted for net investments in leases from integrated financing of $60 million and net investments in property, plant and equipment of $197 million.
     
    HP’s dividend payment of $0.2894 per share in the fourth quarter resulted in cash usage of $270 million. HP also utilized $500 million of cash during the quarter to repurchase approximately 18.3 million shares of common stock in the open market. HP exited the quarter with $3.7 billion in gross cash, which includes cash and cash equivalents of $3.7 billion, restricted cash of $15 million, cash held for sale of $8 million, and short-term investments of $3 million included in other current assets. Restricted cash is related to amounts collected and held on behalf of a third party for trade receivables previously sold.
     
    The HP board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share on the company’s common stock, payable on January 2, 2026 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 11, 2025. This is the first dividend of HP’s 2026 fiscal year.
     
    Fiscal 2025 fourth quarter segment results

    • Personal Systems net revenue was $10.4 billion, up 8% year over year (up 7% in constant currency) with a 5.8% operating margin. Consumer PS net revenue was up 10% and Commercial PS net revenue was up 7%. Total units were up 7% with Consumer PS units up 8% and Commercial PS units up 7%.
    • Printing net revenue was $4.3 billion, down 4% year over year (down 4% in constant currency) with an 18.9% operating margin. Consumer Printing net revenue was down 9% and Commercial Printing net revenue was down 4%. Supplies net revenue was down 4% (down 3% in constant currency). Total hardware units were down 12%, with both Consumer and Commercial Printing units reflecting similar declines.

     
    Outlook
    For the fiscal 2026 first quarter, HP estimates GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $0.58 to $0.66 and non-GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $0.73 to $0.81. Fiscal 2026 first quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS estimates exclude $0.15 per diluted share, primarily related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets, non-operating retirement-related credits, tax adjustments, and the related tax impact on these items.
     
    For fiscal 2026, HP estimates GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $2.47 to $2.77 and non-GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $2.90 to $3.20. Fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted net EPS estimates exclude $0.43 per diluted share, primarily related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets, non-operating retirement-related credits, tax adjustments, and the related tax impact on these items. For fiscal 2026, HP anticipates generating free cash flow in the range of $2.8 to $3.0 billion.  HP’s outlook reflects the added cost driven by the current U.S. trade-related regulations in place, and associated mitigations. 
     
    More information on HP’s earnings, including additional financial analysis and an earnings overview presentation, is available on HP’s Investor Relations website at investor.hp.com.
     
    HP’s FY25 Q4 earnings conference call is accessible via audio webcast at www.hp.com/investor/2025Q4Webcast.
     
    Company-wide initiative announced in November 2025
    Today, HP Inc. announced a company-wide initiative (“fiscal 2026 plan”) to drive customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity through artificial intelligence adoption and enablement. The company estimates that these actions will result in gross run rate savings of approximately $1 billion by the end of fiscal 2028. The company estimates that it will incur approximately $650 million in labor and non-labor costs related to restructuring and other charges, with approximately $250 million in fiscal 2026. The company expects to reduce gross global headcount by approximately 4,000-6,000 employees. These actions are expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2028.
     
    About HP Inc.
    HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ) is a global technology leader redefining the Future of Work. Operating in more than 180 countries, HP delivers innovative and AI-powered devices, software, services and subscriptions that drive business growth and professional fulfillment. For more information, please visit: HP.com.
     
    Use of non-GAAP financial information
    To supplement HP’s consolidated condensed financial statements presented on a generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) basis, HP provides net revenue on a constant currency basis, non-GAAP total operating expense, non-GAAP operating profit, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP other income and expenses, non-GAAP tax rate, non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted net EPS, free cash flow, gross cash and net cash (debt) financial measures. HP also provides forecasts of non-GAAP diluted net EPS and free cash flow. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables below or elsewhere in the materials accompanying this news release. In addition, an explanation of the ways in which HP’s management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate its business, the substance behind HP’s decision to use these non-GAAP measures, the material limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP measures, the manner in which HP’s management compensates for those limitations, and the substantive reasons why HP’s management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors is included under “Use of non-GAAP financial measures” after the tables below. This additional non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net revenue, operating expense, operating profit, operating margin, other income and expenses, tax rate, net earnings, diluted net EPS, cash provided by operating activities or cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash prepared in accordance with GAAP.
     
    Forward-looking statements
    This document contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, they could affect the business and results of operations of HP Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries which may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions.
     
    All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, projections of net revenue, margins, expenses, effective tax rates, net earnings, net earnings per share, cash flows, benefit plan funding, deferred taxes, share repurchases, foreign currency exchange rates or other financial items; any projections of the amount, timing or impact of cost savings or restructuring and other charges, planned structural cost reductions and productivity initiatives; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, including, but not limited to, our business model and transformation, our sustainability goals, our go-to-market strategy, the execution of restructuring plans and any resulting cost savings (including the fiscal 2023 plan and the fiscal 2026 plan), net revenue or profitability improvements or other financial impacts; any statements concerning the expected development, demand, performance, market share or competitive performance relating to products or services; any statements concerning potential supply constraints, component shortages, manufacturing disruptions or logistics challenges; any statements regarding current or future macroeconomic trends or events, including global trade policies, and the impact of those trends and events on HP and its financial performance; any statements regarding pending investigations, claims, disputes or other litigation matters; any statements of expectation or belief as to the timing and expected benefits of acquisitions and other business combination and investment transactions; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.  Forward-looking statements can also generally be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms.
     
    Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our business and results of operations include factors relating to HP’s ability to execute on its strategic plans, including the previously announced initiatives, business model changes and transformation; the development and transition of new products and services and the enhancement of existing products and services to meet evolving customer needs and respond to emerging technological trends, including artificial intelligence; the use of artificial intelligence; the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical trends, changes and events, including global trade policies, the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, continued instability in the Middle East or tensions in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea and the regional and global ramifications of these events; volatility in global capital markets and foreign currency, changes in benchmark interest rates, the effects of inflation and instability of financial institutions; risks associated with HP’s international operations and the effects of business disruption events, including those resulting from climate change; the need to manage (and reliance on) third-party suppliers, including with respect to supply constraints and component shortages, and the need to manage HP’s global, multi-tier distribution network and potential misuse of pricing programs by HP’s channel partners, adapt to new or changing marketplaces and effectively deliver HP’s services; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its suppliers, customers, clients and partners, including logistical challenges with respect to such execution and performance; the competitive pressures faced by HP’s businesses; the impact of third-party claims of IP infringement; successfully innovating, developing and executing HP’s go-to-market strategy, including online, omnichannel and contractual sales, in an evolving distribution, reseller and customer landscape; successfully competing and maintaining the value proposition of HP’s products, including supplies and services; challenges to HP’s ability to accurately forecast inventories, demand and pricing, which may be due to HP’s multi-tiered channel, sales of HP’s products to unauthorized resellers or unauthorized resale of HP’s products or our uneven sales cycle; the hiring and retention of key employees; the results of our restructuring plans (including the fiscal 2023 plan and the fiscal 2026 plan), including estimates and assumptions related to the cost (including any possible disruption of HP’s business) and the anticipated benefits of our restructuring plans; the protection of HP’s intellectual property assets, including intellectual property licensed from third parties; disruptions in operations from system security risks, data protection breaches, or cyberattacks; HP’s ability to maintain its credit rating, satisfy its debt obligations and complete any contemplated share repurchases, other capital return programs or other strategic transactions; changes in estimates and assumptions HP makes in connection with the preparation of its financial statements; the impact of changes to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, including environmental regulations and tax laws; integration and other risks associated with business combination and investment transactions; our aspirations related to environmental and societal matters; potential impacts, liabilities and costs from pending or potential investigations, claims and disputes; the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; and other risks that are described in HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). HP’s fiscal 2023 plan included HP’s efforts to take advantage of future growth opportunities, including but not limited to, investments to drive growth, investments in our people, improving product mix, driving structural cost savings and other productivity measures. HP’s fiscal 2026 plan includes HP’s efforts to drive customer satisfaction, product innovation, and productivity through artificial intelligence adoption and enablement, and cost savings associated with the fiscal 2026 plan represent gross reductions in costs from these restructuring plans. Structural cost savings represent gross reductions in costs driven by operational efficiency, digital transformation, and portfolio optimization. These initiatives include but are not limited to workforce reductions, platform simplification, programs consolidation and productivity measures undertaken by HP, which HP expects to be sustainable in the longer-term. These structural cost savings are net of any new recurring costs resulting from these initiatives and exclude one-time investments to generate such savings. HP’s expectations on the longer-term sustainability of such structural cost savings are based on its current business operations and market dynamics and could be significantly impacted by various factors, including but not limited to HP’s evolving business models, future investment decisions, market environment and technology landscape.
     
    As in prior periods, the financial information set forth in this document, including any tax-related items, reflects estimates based on information available at this time. While HP believes these estimates to be reasonable, these amounts could differ materially from reported amounts in HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2025 and October 31, 2026, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2026 and HP’s other filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date of this document and HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. 
     
    HP’s Investor Relations website at investor.hp.com contains a significant amount of information about HP, including financial and other information for investors. HP encourages investors to visit its website from time to time, as information is updated, and new information is posted. The content of HP’s website is not incorporated by reference into this document or in any other report or document HP files with the SEC, and any references to HP’s website are intended to be inactive textual references only. 
     
     
    Available in PDF format — including all tables

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  • VW says it can halve EV development costs with China-made car

    VW says it can halve EV development costs with China-made car

    This article is an on-site version of our FirstFT newsletter. Subscribers can sign up to our Asia, Europe/Africa or Americas edition to get the newsletter delivered every weekday morning. Explore all of our newsletters here

    Good morning and welcome back to FirstFT Asia. In today’s newsletter:


    Volkswagen has said it can produce an electric vehicle entirely made in China for half the cost of doing so elsewhere, as the German automaker fights to reclaim its share in the world’s biggest market.

    What to know: Europe’s largest carmaker said yesterday that, following a series of investments in China, it can for the first time develop new cars outside Germany. VW is preparing to release about 30 EV models in China over the next five years, in a bet on localised research and development. The carmaker said that, compared with the 2023 production costs for EVs in Germany, the cost for some models in China had been reduced by as much as 50 per cent because of supply chain efficiencies.

    VW was for many years the biggest carmaker in China but it has lost market share as a wave of innovative Chinese EV rivals won over consumers.

    VW’s China plans: The group is in discussions about increasing exports of Chinese-made cars as well as applying China breakthroughs throughout its global operations, said executives. VW is among a clutch of European carmakers attempting to replicate the speed of vehicle development in China by hiring local engineers, collaborating with partners there and by tearing down vehicles made by BYD and other newer rivals. Read more about VW’s efforts to survive in China.

    Here’s what else we’re keeping tabs on today:

    • Economic data: Australia publishes October inflation data.

    • UK economy: Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils a massive tax-raising Budget in what is perhaps the defining event of this parliament.

    Join senior Financial Times editors on December 3 for a discussion on what will shape the year ahead. Register for free today.

    Five more top stories

    1. Donald Trump said he would dispatch special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow in another push to secure a peace plan to end the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. The US president said his negotiators had made “tremendous progress” in ending the war — but he would wait until a deal was within reach before meeting Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin. Here’s the latest on the peace talks.

    2. Samsung chair Lee Jae-yong hosted Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man and chair of India’s Reliance Industries, for talks over deepening the relationship between two of the region’s most powerful conglomerates. Lee has been holding a series of high-profile meetings as he seeks to keep his company in a strong position for the global AI build-out.

    3. Nvidia shares fell sharply yesterday on fears that Google is gaining ground in AI, erasing $150bn in market value from the chipmaker. Google last week released Gemini 3, its latest large language model, which is considered to have leapfrogged OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Analysts likened Gemini 3’s impact to the disruption triggered by Chinese start-up DeepSeek.

    4. Indonesia is investigating radioactive contamination at an industrial zone after US and Dutch authorities found unusual levels of radiation in some of the south-east Asian country’s biggest exports. A total of 22 factories were affected, including facilities that process shrimp and make footwear for Nike and Adidas. Here are more details.

    5. A series of grim official data released in the US has deepened concerns about the health of the world’s largest economy. Signs of weakness in retail sales and consumer confidence released yesterday suggest Americans are pulling back on spending amid an affordability crisis that has raised pressure on Trump.

    • ‘Scraping for crumbs’: High prices of food, rents and healthcare are forcing lower-income Americans to cut back on necessities just as the Trump administration curbs government supports.

    The Big Read

    © FT montage/Getty Images

    Ireland’s location on Europe’s western fringe has made it pivotal to global communications. But with a small navy and limited intelligence sharing, some say the military-neutral EU member is incapable of protecting itself and the transatlantic data cables running through its territory. Read more on what makes the island nation a weak link in EU defence.

    We’re also reading . . . 

    • Rare earths: A small Australian town best known for its giant Elvis Presley festival is gaining global significance in the race to break China’s control of rare earths.

    • Jair Bolsonaro: A Brazilian supreme court judge has ordered the ex-president to begin a 27-year jail sentence following his conviction for coup plotting.

    • Global depopulation: What would it feel like to live in a shrinking world? One view is that it would be bleak. Sarah O’Connor is more optimistic.

    Chart of the day

    The Fractured Age, a new book by Neil Shearing of Capital Economics, argues that the world economy will divide between a US-centred bloc and a China-centred one. But which country will come out ahead? Martin Wolf examines this question in his latest column.

    Some content could not load. Check your internet connection or browser settings.

    Take a break from the news . . .

    HTSI horology expert Nick Foulkes picks his top timepieces of 2025.

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  • Oldest microbial DNA was found in a 1-million-year-old mammoth

    Oldest microbial DNA was found in a 1-million-year-old mammoth

    A single molar from a steppe mammoth that died about 1.1 million years ago in northeastern Siberia has preserved tiny fragments of bacterial DNA.

    The tooth, found near the Adycha River in Russia, lets scientists study microbes that once lived…

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  • Bell Centre Rings the Changes with Calrec

    Bell Centre Rings the Changes with Calrec

    Montreal’s 21,000-capacity Bell Centre has a brand-new ST 2110 infrastructure and Calrec Argo S console.

    Montreal’s 21,000-capacity Bell Centre has a brand-new ST 2110 infrastructure and Calrec Argo S…

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  • E-ink smartwatch Pebble, back from the dead, now open source • The Register

    E-ink smartwatch Pebble, back from the dead, now open source • The Register

    Pebble, the e-ink smartwatch with a tumultuous history, is making a move sure to please the DIY enthusiasts that make up the bulk of its fans: Its entire software stack is now fully open source, and key hardware design files are available…

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  • Thanks to treaty, Antarctica’s ozone hole smaller, scientists say

    Thanks to treaty, Antarctica’s ozone hole smaller, scientists say

    NASA and NOAA have announced encouraging news for Earth’s climate: The 2025 Antarctic ozone hole is the fifth-smallest recorded in more than two decades.

    According to both agencies, international efforts to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals…

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  •  IP Dispute Delays Gaumont’s Thriller Series For Apple TV

     IP Dispute Delays Gaumont’s Thriller Series For Apple TV

    Details are emerging about Apple TV‘s decision last week to postpone the premiere of The Hunt just two weeks before the acquired series from French production company Gaumont was due to debut December 3.

    It came after questions were…

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  • New WHO framework aims to tackle rising resistance to HIV, STI, and hepatitis treatments

    New WHO framework aims to tackle rising resistance to HIV, STI, and hepatitis treatments

    USAID / Wikimedia Commons

    The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday released a roadmap to address rising resistance to treatments for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

    Building on the WHO’s Global Action…

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  • Tackling Psychological & Paediatric Palliative Care Challenges at Vietnam National Cancer Hospital

    Tackling Psychological & Paediatric Palliative Care Challenges at Vietnam National Cancer Hospital

    Categories: Care and Featured.

     

    By ĐỖ TUYẾT MAI, M.D, Ph.D. Psycho-Oncologist, Mental Health Researcher, Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.

     

    Situational context

    At VNCH,…

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  • AI Governance is Growing in Asia-Pacific: Key Developments and Takeaways for Multinational Companies

    AI Governance is Growing in Asia-Pacific: Key Developments and Takeaways for Multinational Companies

    As AI tools advance, multinational employers are grappling with a growing patchwork of governance frameworks. Notably in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, Japan, Singapore, India, and Australia are making moves that encourage AI use while seeking to curb the risks. Businesses operating in these locations should stay on top of recent developments and create an action plan to address the nuances in each applicable location. Here’s a breakdown of new developments in this region and what you can do to prepare as AI regulatory frameworks continue to take shape.

    Japan Focuses on Innovation

    Earlier this year, the legislature in Japan passed a bill that encourages research and development – as well as advancements – in AI technology and commits to international leadership and cooperation. The new law sets expectations for businesses to cooperate with key principles for AI governance, including transparency and risk mitigation. Research institutions are expected to work on AI development and train skilled workers, and citizens are encouraged to learn more about AI. There are no sanctions for noncompliance. Rather, the focus is on voluntary collaboration and making strides in this realm.

    Moreover, the law charges Japan’s national government with creating AI policies. Specifically, it establishes an Artificial Intelligence Strategy Headquarters within the Cabinet, which will oversee the new Artificial Intelligence Basic Plan and coordinate all AI policy. Local governments are responsible for implementing a regional plan.

    Action Items: Businesses operating in Japan should be encouraged by the innovation-focused approach. Still, you should review (or develop) your AI policies for transparency and alignment with the new guidance. You should also consider actively participating in voluntary initiatives that support responsible AI development and use.

    Singapore Highlights Testing and Sector-Specific Compliance

    Balancing innovation with effective risk management is also a priority in Singapore. The government published its first Model AI Governance Framework in 2019 – which established principles for ethical AI use – and has invested millions in AI efforts. This year, through AI Verify Foundation, Singapore launched the Global AI Assurance Pilot, which served as a sandbox to test Generative AI applications and establish international standards. The purpose was “to help codify emerging norms and best practices around technical testing of GenAI applications.”

    In terms of regulations, Singapore has chosen not to pursue a comprehensive AI statute. Instead, it continues to follow a sector-specific regulatory model that addresses risks through existing frameworks for finance, healthcare, employment, and other compliance areas.

    Action Items: Explore AI Verify Foundation initiatives and review the pilot report. For ongoing compliance, continue to ensure AI practices are aligned with sector-specific regulations.

    India Issues Robust Guidelines

    India released its AI Governance Guidelines in 2025, emphasizing safety, trust, and flexibility. Specifically, the seven core principles are:

    1. Trust is the Foundation
    2. People First
    3. Innovation over Restraint
    4. Fairness and Equity
    5. Accountability
    6. Understandable by Design
    7. Safety, Resilience, and Sustainability

    The guidelines, which you can learn about in more detail here, make six key recommendations, including education and skills training, as well as policies that support innovation, mitigate risks, and encourage compliance through transparency and voluntary measures.

    The guidelines also recommend setting up an AI Governance Group, which would be supported by a Technology and Policy Expert Committee – and enabling the AI Safety Institute to provide technical expertise on trust and safety issues.

    As in most other countries, the recommendations also call for sector-specific regulations to continue. For example, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act), India’s first comprehensive data privacy legislation regulating digital personal data processing, governs the use of personal data to train AI models.

    Action Items: Review AI practices and assess how they measure up to India’s core principles, particularly on fairness, accountability, and transparency. Audit processes to ensure compliance with existing laws like the DPDP Act and other rules that impact your business.

    Australia Shifts Gears

    In 2024, Australia initially proposed mandatory guardrails for AI use in high-risk settings and released its Voluntary AI Safety Standard to serve as guidance while the requirements were pending.

    The country has since changed its direction from aiming to roll out a stricter EU-type AI framework to one that looks more like other APAC nations, focused on safe and responsible AI use, as well as innovation and compliance with existing laws and regulations.

    Last month, Australia’s National AI Centre issued new Guidance for AI Adoption, which replaces the prior voluntary standard and sets out six practices for responsible AI governance:

    1. Decide who is accountable 
    2. Understand impacts and plan accordingly 
    3. Measure and manage risks
    4. Share essential information
    5. Test and monitor
    6. Maintain human control

    To learn more, you can visit the government’s resource page.

    Action Items: Get familiar with the new Guidance for AI Adoption and the accompanying resources. Consider aligning internal AI practices with the six recommended governance steps – and continue to monitor developments as Australia shapes its approach to AI governance.

    Key Takeaways for Multinational Businesses

    • Global AI Regulations Are Evolving Quickly: While Japan, Singapore, India, and Australia have all introduced frameworks that balance innovation with risk mitigation, the European Union has taken a stricter approach and leading European companies are pushing back. You’ll want to track developments closely.
    • No One-Size-Fits-All Plan: Carefully review the applicable countries’ approach to voluntary vs. mandatory guidance and sector-specific rules vs. comprehensive AI statutes.
    • Themes Are Emerging: Although each approach is different, goals like safety, transparency, accountability, and human oversight are common.
    • Existing Laws Still Apply: AI regulatory frameworks generally do not replace compliance obligations under data privacy, finance, healthcare, employment, and other laws that may apply when AI tools are used. Be sure that your AI, Tech, Legal, HR, and other teams coordinate compliance efforts.
    • Privacy Rules Still Shape AI Use: Because AI is being handled through existing privacy frameworks, companies should watch how regulators interpret transparency and data use in AI contexts. These factors directly affect how AI models are trained and how they generate outputs.
    • Sector-Specific Rules May Affect Certain AI Use Cases More Than Others: Given the region’s reliance on sector-based oversight, areas like recruitment, financial services, and healthcare may face closer scrutiny when AI tools are used in those contexts.
    • Navigating AI Governance Can Be Challenging: Having a trusted legal or consulting partner can provide valuable guidance, ensuring compliance and aligning AI practices with business goals. From setting up policies to managing compliance, a partner experienced in AI governance can help prevent costly missteps.

    Conclusion

    We will continue to monitor legal changes affecting multinational companies, so make sure you are subscribed to Fisher Phillips’ Insight System to receive the latest updates directly to your inbox. If you have questions, contact your Fisher Phillips attorney, the authors of this Insight, or any attorney in our International Practice Group or our AI, Data, and Analytics Practice Group.

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