A record 53,000 generative AI patents were filed globally in the past two years, according to a new report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). That’s more than triple the number of patents filed between 2020 and 2022.
Asia Dominates Generative AI Patent Landscape
While the United States still holds the second spot, China figures prominently in the WIPO report, with Chinese multinationals and the Chinese Academy of Sciences claiming four of the top five spots among generative AI patenting entities. Sanyo, a Japanese technology conglomerate, takes the top spot, but only by a hair.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences is a powerhouse in Chinese research and development, and its presence at the top of the patent list is no surprise. The organization has been at the forefront of AI research in China for decades, and its scientists have published numerous papers on topics like natural language processing and computer vision.
What this means
The surge in generative AI patents suggests that companies are racing to develop new technologies in this space. Generative AI has applications in everything from content creation to healthcare, and companies that dominate the patent landscape are likely to have a significant advantage in the market.
The report also highlights the increasing importance of Asia in the global patent landscape. As China continues to invest heavily in research and development, it’s likely that the country will play an even bigger role in shaping the future of AI.
The WIPO report provides a snapshot of the current state of generative AI patents, but it’s worth noting that the patent landscape is constantly changing. New players and new technologies are emerging all the time, and the companies that are currently leading the charge may soon find themselves facing stiff competition from upstarts.
Patent Leaders
The top five patenting entities in the generative AI space are:
- Sanyo (Japan) – 3,434 patents
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (China) – 3,336 patents
- China Electronics Technology Group (China) – 2,654 patents
- ZTE Corporation (China) – 2,446 patents
- Alibaba Group (China) – 2,346 patents
