Artificial intelligence (AI) patent applications are on the rise. The USPTO notes that there is a 100% increase in AI-related patent applications. For example, in 2002 there were 30,000 AI patents compared against 2018 with 60,000.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said that he is “pleased to see this rapid increase in artificial intelligence patent applications received by the USPTO, as artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of our everyday lives.” He further commends “the USPTO for quickly adapting to this increase in AI-related patents and for supporting American patent filers as they utilize new technologies to enhance the lives of people across the globe.”
The USPTO has economists that study patent filings to gain knowledge of different determinants of innovation. This allows the USPTO to develop policies to help US inventors.
