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Patenting generative AI technologies: challenges and opportunities

69 2
21.01.2025

The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has led to groundbreaking innovations in various fields, ranging from healthcare and finance to entertainment and design.

Technologies such as AI-driven image generation, text creation, and drug discovery have disrupted traditional industries, raising questions about intellectual property (IP) protection, especially regarding patents. With the rapid evolution of AI, patenting these technologies has become an increasingly complex and urgent issue.

The rise of generative AI

Generative AI refers to a class of AI systems capable of autonomously generating novel content, such as text, images, music, and even scientific discoveries. These systems are trained using vast datasets and powerful machine learning models like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Transformer models.

The applications of generative AI are vast, with notable examples including AI-generated artwork, language models like GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), and AI-driven drug discovery platforms. Industries such as healthcare, finance, marketing, and design have already begun to leverage these technologies for enhanced creativity, efficiency, and automation.

The explosion of generative AI applications presents new challenges for patent law, which has traditionally focused on human inventors and tangible inventions. The question arises: how should patent systems address inventions driven by AI? As AI technologies advance, the need for clear patent guidelines becomes critical in ensuring that creators are incentivized and protected.

Patent eligibility for AI-driven technologies is based on three main criteria: novelty, inventiveness, and industrial applicability. However, applying these criteria to generative AI presents unique challenges. In generative AI, the “inventor” may not be human, as AI systems can autonomously create solutions, complicating ownership and inventorship.

Additionally, the novelty and inventiveness of AI-generated inventions are debated, given that AI systems often rely on existing data, raising questions about originality. Patent protection is crucial........

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