HP launches Print AI in Australia for cleaner web pages

HP has launched HP Print AI in Australia.

The product adds AI-based printing features to compatible home and office printers.

The rollout targets a common consumer and workplace printing problem: web pages that do not print in a usable format. More than half of home and office print jobs now begin with web content, including articles, recipes, travel information and how-to guides, according to HP.

That shift has created routine issues for users printing directly from a browser. Pages can include unwanted advertising, irregular spacing, poorly sized images or extra pages, leading to repeat attempts and wasted paper and ink.

HP's main new feature, Precise Print, is designed to address those problems before a page is sent to the printer. It automatically removes unwanted content and adjusts formatting to produce a cleaner printed page with fewer manual edits, HP said.

Availability covers newly activated compatible devices across several existing printer lines. These include the HP DeskJet 2900 series; HP Envy 6100 and 6500; Envy Inspire and Envy Photo 7200 and 7900 series; HP Smart Tank 5100, 6000, 7000, 7300, 7600 and 210 series; and HP OfficeJet Pro 8100, 9100 and 9700 series.

The service is also available on compatible LaserJet products, although HP's detailed device list focuses mainly on DeskJet, Envy, Smart Tank and OfficeJet Pro models. Setup requires an HP AI-capable printer, the HP app and Windows 11.

The launch is part of a broader effort by printer makers to apply AI to routine document tasks rather than hardware alone. In this case, HP is using the technology for page preparation, printer setup and support.

Support functions have also been updated so the printer can guide customers through setup and respond to requests in natural language, according to HP. The system can use contextual information and past interactions to tailor support to individual users.

Commercial use

For business customers, HP is extending HP Scan AI Enhanced, a cloud-based scanning tool that identifies document types and extracts relevant information. The aim is to reduce manual handling and data entry in office workflows.

The product is intended for small and medium-sized businesses as well as larger organisations, HP said. As an example of adoption, the company cited a retail group in Italy with 300 locations that recorded an 80% reduction in labour costs after using the scanning tool in delivery and inventory processes.

The Australian release reflects an effort to make AI features part of standard printer purchasing decisions rather than optional software layered on top. HP is positioning the new functions as part of the everyday print experience for households and offices that rely on browser-based content.

Paul Gracey, Vice President and Head of Greater Asia Print Category at HP, said changes in how people access information had altered expectations around printing.

"Printing has always been part of how people work, learn and create, but the way we find and use information has changed," Gracey said.

"HP Print AI helps solve those everyday frustrations now, while giving customers a printer that is ready for what comes next," he said.