Is artificial intelligence invented?

The emergence of productive artificial intelligence has affected various industries from technology to art. Artificial intelligence -based systems are now able to write complex codes, produce news articles, and create professional images. These advances, in addition to concern about eliminating jobs, have raised new questions: In the age of artificial intelligence, who is really an inventor?

Today, many specialists use artificial intelligence in the process of designing and developing new products. Studies show that these tools can enhance creativity and accelerate the process of research and development. According to a study conducted by MIT, Aid Toner-Largers, a doctoral student at MIT, scientists who used artificial intelligence tools had 5 % more patent requests and 5 % more prototypes than before. But the process also had a negative consequence: 5 % of researchers reported that after the use of artificial intelligence in their work, their job satisfaction has declined. One of the researchers said: “I feel that much of my education is no longer worth it.”

Can artificial intelligence be an inventor?

With the expansion of the role of artificial intelligence in patents, legal discussions about patents have also increased. In year 4, the US Patent and Trademark Registration Office (USPTO) rejected a patent request by a DABUS artificial intelligence system. The system claimed to have designed a food storage container and an emergency light, but the courts said that, according to current US law, only humans could be identified as inventors.

American laws provide a definite definition of the inventor: “A person who presents an innovative and practical idea without the need for extensive research.” If a person only follows the existing instructions, he is not an inventor. Therefore, the main question is whether the role of artificial intelligence is merely an auxiliary tool or can it be considered an inventor itself?

The place of artificial intelligence in the process of invention

With the introduction of powerful language models such as ChatGpt in Year 2, the discussion of the use of artificial intelligence in the patent process was intensified. In the same year, the US Federal Appeals Court announced that, according to current laws, only human beings could be mentioned as inventors in patent requests.

In year 4, USPTO released new instructions that confirm that inventors should be human, but the use of artificial intelligence as an auxiliary tool in the research and development process is permitted. The decision shows that US policymakers have realized the importance of artificial intelligence tools in scientific development. They emphasize that the traditional image of an inventor who innovates in a garage relying on his intelligence must adapt to the new facts of technology.

Artificial intelligence; Tool or partner in patents?

Despite accepting the role of artificial intelligence in innovation, important questions remain unanswered. For example, in scientific articles, researchers are required to disclose the use of artificial intelligence tools, but there is no such requirement in the US patent system. According to current policies, as long as a person plays a key role in the development of patent, his only name is mentioned in the patent and artificial intelligence is merely considered one tool.

The future of innovation in the era of artificial intelligence

With rapid changes in technology, invention and innovation -related policies are also evolving. It is not yet clear how the new Trump administration’s plan to increase US dominance in the field of artificial intelligence will affect patent policies. Some believe that artificial intelligence will increase the rate of scientific discoveries, but if the researchers enjoy their work less, will innovation as a human activity still be encouraged?

Currently, US policymakers are trying to balance human creativity and the use of artificial intelligence. On the one hand, only inventions carried out by human guidance are eligible for patent. On the other hand, artificial intelligence tools are increasingly enhancing the capabilities of scientists and researchers. The decisions made in the coming years will affect not only the future of innovation in America but around the world.