HP Inc has launched 13 AI-powered learning printers tailored for Chinese families, betting that artificial intelligence can rejuvenate a maturing hardware market and fend off intensifying competition from domestic brands.

The new models, recently unveiled at HP's autumn launch event in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, integrate AI-driven homework grading, error-question collection, and curated educational resources into the company's WeChat mini-program.

Rollin Jin, vice-president and general manager of HP Printing Systems Group of Greater China, said the company's share in China’s printing market stood at roughly 38.6 percent in 2025, according to data from the US market research company International Data Corp, maintaining a clear lead over the second-place player.

But he warned against complacency. "The more we lead, the more we must prepare for adversity," Jin said, citing three pressures: shifting market-access rules and localization demands, the rise of Chinese printer brands, and changing demand patterns as traditional sectors contract while new industries such as new energy emerge.

China's printer shipments peaked above 19 million units around 2022 and now hover between 13 million and 14 million, Jin said. While overall hardware demand has stabilized, the mix has shifted: inkjet and laser shipments have converged at roughly 7 million units each, and refillable ink-tank models are gaining share within inkjet.

HP's answer to this plateau is to move beyond hardware and consumables. "If we only stay in hardware, supplies and existing applications, the space will be limited," Jin said. "Ultimately it comes down to innovation—whether we can keep pace with the times and capture new user needs."

The AI learning printers are HP's first major push in that direction for Chinese households. According to HP, the company does not build its own large language models but calls third-party and vertical models via the cloud, optimizing for accuracy, user fit, and token consumption.

HP's pre-launch research found that 50 percent of surveyed users prioritized homework grading and 48 percent sought error-question collection. The company plans to adjust feature priorities based on actual usage frequency.

The launch also reflects HP's recognition that China's AI ecosystem cannot simply absorb global solutions. Jin said overseas AI printing solutions cannot be directly deployed in China, requiring localized interfaces, cloud partnerships, and content collaborations. HP is investing in China-specific AI infrastructure.

The broader context supports HP's bet on AI literacy. A report from iMedia Research found that 72.75 percent of surveyed consumers purchase home learning printers for printing coursework, while a China Consumers Association survey cited by HP found 27.8 percent of respondents rank product quality as the top factor influencing purchase decisions. HP argues that as AI expands what a printer can do, reliability across content processing, connectivity, and output becomes more—not less—important.

HP's own 2026 Work Relationship Index found that 67 percent of Chinese knowledge workers are using AI agents, the highest penetration among 15 surveyed markets and well above the 47 percent global average. The report, which for the first time included China with 1,300 respondents, also found that 74 percent of Chinese respondents expect AI to fundamentally reshape daily life within five years.