Artificial Intelligence

Global Artificial Intelligence Policy

Purpose

Commitment to Responsible AI:  Linde plc and all its affiliates (hereinafter "Linde") embrace the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (hereinafter "AI") and commit to establishing the governance, safeguards and accountability needed to innovate confidently, responsibly, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This commitment to responsible AI is an integral part of Linde's Code of Business Integrity.

Sustainability: Conscious of AI's ecological footprint, Linde is committed to deploying AI responsibly and shall make reasonable endeavors to reduce such footprint, including via the training of Linde employees about such footprint and responsible use.

Global Baseline: This Global AI Policy (hereinafter the "Policy") establishes a global governance framework, around Linde's 10 AI Principles, which shall be operationalized cross-functionally, as articulated in this Policy.

Framework Adaptability: As a global organization, Linde is subject to various applicable laws and regulatory requirements, which may govern various aspects of AI. This policy reiterates Linde's AI principles and empowers Linde corporate segments and regional business units to develop and manage procedures as required.

Scope

This Policy applies to all Linde entities, organizational units, and personnel. It covers any Application with an AI component, including any Vendor and 3rd party technologies, under Linde's ownership or control.

Governance

Linde’s AI Council shall act as Linde's AI oversight board. The council is a cross-functional group of leaders with the goal of providing guidance and promoting and leveraging AI to generate business value in alignment with Linde's AI principles stated in Section IV.

Cross-functional working groups, established by Linde's AI Council shall bring together the representatives of relevant corporate function(s) and business units to operationalize Linde's AI Principles.

AI Principles

This Policy establishes the following principles for the ethical, responsible and effective use of AI systems, and to ensure alignment with our mission and values.

  1. Safe
  2. Human-Centered
  3. Accurate & Robust
  4. IP Compliant (especially in commercial products/services)
  5. Transparent & Explainable
  6. Fair & Lawful
  7. Secure
  8. Data Protection Compliant
  9. Aligned across Data & AI Lifecycle
  10. Used Accountably

When applying these principles, Linde intellectual property, including but not limited to confidential information, know-how and/or other non-public information must be protected and may only be processed through AI systems and platforms approved by Linde and in accordance with applicable policies and controls.

Training

Global & Supplementary AI Training: To promote responsible AI, training is provided globally to Linde employees exposed to AI on how to use it effectively and responsibly. Supplemental training may be offered as needed to ensure appropriate and function-specific knowledge and skills about developing, procuring, deploying or operating AI, as needed to comply with their applicable requirements.

Approval, Amendments & Distribution

Approval: This Policy is approved cross-functionally by the AI Council on July 31, 2026.

Revisions: This Policy shall be reviewed periodically, or upon any major changes in AI technology, regulatory and legal requirements, or business operations. The AI Council, via its designated working group, shall maintain this policy and coordinate updates with relevant stakeholders.

Distribution: This Policy will be published and available to all Linde employees.