From Principles to Proof: How 2025 Made AI Governance Real in Health Care

Regulation of artificial intelligence moved from concept to compliance in 2025. The European Union’s AI Act entered its first operational phase, the United States advanced federal guidance and state legislation, the United Kingdom expanded regulator-led oversight, and China codified labeling and ethics obligations. Together, these global developments signal the emergence of auditable AI governance frameworks across major jurisdictions. This commentary distills the most consequential legal and regulatory actions of 2025 and offers a practical playbook for clinicians and AI-governance leaders within health systems preparing for 2026 implementation milestones.