Key Takeaways:
● IBM leads the GenAI patent race with 1,591 applications.
● Google and Microsoft trail behind as the second and third top companies in GenAI patents.
● The annual growth rate of GenAI applications has significantly increased over the past five years.
● AI pioneer, OpenAI ranks outside the top 25 companies in the list of AI patent applications.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seen an explosive rise, sparking a race for AI-related patents among tech companies. A recently published patent study by IFI Claims indicates IBM, Google, and Microsoft as the leading contenders. IBM excels with almost three times as many applications as Google, the second place holder.
Tech Giants Lead GenAI Race
According to IFI Claims, IBM has filed a staggering 1,591 applications for GenAI patents. In comparison, Google lags with significantly fewer applications. Microsoft, along with other top tech players such as Samsung, Adobe, Intel, Capital One, and Baidu, also has a notable presence in the GenAI patent scene. IFI Claims, a trusted patent data provider, gathered this information by scrutinizing records from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and other international patent offices.
The Study Methodology
For this study, IFI Claims employed a tailored system to identify and analyze AI and GenAI-related patent applications. This system searches for specific technologies related to GenAI, the most popular form of AI today. Despite this, IFI Claims admits that with new technologies like GenAI, creating a new patent classification can take time.
Impressive Growth in GenAI Applications
The study reveals that one in five AI-related patent applications is related to GenAI. The report indicates that these applications have seen a compound annual growth rate of 31 percent in the last five years. In the same period, the number of granted applications has grown at 16 percent. This data represents the immense research intensity and growing interest in AI among tech companies.
IBM’s Focus on AI
IBM, a pioneer in intellectual property, has long been a leader in patent applications. However, in 2020, the tech giant streamlined its strategy with a focus on AI, among other key areas. IBM doesn’t intend to patent all its inventions, aiming to focus on important areas while ceasing to chase patent leadership.
OpenAI with Few Patent Applications
Interestingly, AI pioneer OpenAI doesn’t figure in the top 25 companies for AI patent applications. According to IFI Claims, it only has one patent application. It’s surprising for a knowledge-based AI company. Yet, OpenAI might possess new filings not yet public or could be protecting intellectual property via trade secrets.
Future Expectations
The number of AI-related patent applications is a good indicator of a company’s innovation and can provide insights into future technological value. Although AI adoption rates remain relatively low, the high number of patent applications indicates we can expect more AI innovation soon.
Emerging Questions on AI Inventions
All patents analyzed by IFI Claims pertain to human-made inventions. However, as AI develops, it raises the question as to how we should treat inventions created by AI itself. The current patent laws might be insufficient and inefficient for such scenarios, therefore requiring adaptations sooner or later.
In conclusion, the increase in AI-related patent applications underscores the depth of research and development the tech giants are investing in AI technology. With IBM leading the race, it’s clear that the push for AI is more than just marketing. As we move forward, the AI landscape promises more innovations and advancements.
