preface
In the arena of artificial intelligence, a competition for patent applications is being staged. The two technological powerhouses, United States and Japan, occupy the second and fourth positions, respectively, showing strong strength.
So what is China's performance in terms of the number of AI patent applications? Where can it be ranked?
What is an AI patent application?
When it comes to AI patent applications, don't think it's just the tech giants' patent. In fact, it is like creating a "smart lock" for artificial intelligence inventions.
Imagine you've developed an awesome AI algorithm that can make robots square dance, and you don't want anyone else to steal your idea, right? This is where AI patent applications come in handy.
It covers a wide range of applications, from machine learning algorithms to neural network structures, from data processing methods to AI application scenarios, as long as it is an innovation related to artificial intelligence, it can apply for patent protection.
However, patenting AI is not an easy task. You have to describe your invention in detail, explain how it works, and prove its novelty and utility.
Interestingly, with the rapid development of AI technology, the content of patent applications is becoming more and more "brain-opening". For example, some people have applied for a patent for AI to write poetry, and some people want to patent for AI's "imagination". These applications not only protect the rights and interests of inventors, but also promote innovation in the AI industry as a whole.
However, have you ever wondered who would own the patents if AI invented a new technology on its own? Human inventors, or AI itself? That's a bit of a brain-burning question!
China's ranking is a surprise
The United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released a blockbuster report in July, let's see who has the upper hand in the "patent war" in the field of AI in the past decade.
Imagine that from 2014 to 2023, scientists and engineers around the world will be running a marathon, except that they are running the AI patent application track. In the past decade, the number of global patent applications for generative AI has skyrocketed to more than 50,000.
What's even more jaw-dropping is that in 2023 alone, it contributed more than a quarter of the number of applications! What is this concept? It's like running the last kilometer of a race, and suddenly a large group of runners sprints, filling the entire track.
In this AI patent marathon, China can be said to be unbeatable. The number of patent applications filed in China exceeds 38,000, which is not a small number. You know, the second place in the United States is only 6276 copies. China is a full six times more numerous than United States!
It's like the Chinese runners have crossed the finish line and the United States runners are only halfway there. Let's take a look at the performance of enterprises and institutions, it is simply the "home field" of Chinese enterprises. China occupies six of the top 10 positions, and four of the top five are Chinese.
Tencent, Ping An Insurance, Baidu, Chinese Academy of Sciences, these names shine on the list. They are like a "dream team" in the field of AI, and each member of the team has a unique skill.
However, this game is not just a contest of numbers. Each country and company has its own "unique skills" in different AI fields. For example, China leads the way in generative AI such as chatbots, while Japan has shown unique strengths in entertainment and the arts.
It's like a multi-around competition, where each competitor has their own strengths. What's even more interesting is that AI is becoming more and more widely used. From life sciences to manufacturing, from transportation to security and telecommunications, AI has reached almost everywhere.
It's like an AI being a multi-talented artist who can not only write poems and paintings, but also compose music and medicine, and even design cars and airplanes.
However, patent applications are only one side of the coin. The other side is talent training. China has reportedly overtaken United States as the largest producer of AI talent. Nearly half of the world's top AI researchers are from China, which is like China has become a "gold mine" for AI talents.
Not only that, but China also performs well in terms of the quantity and quality of AI research papers. Both in terms of the total number of papers and the number of highly cited papers, Chinese institutions are among the best. This is like the "Oscar" ceremony in the academic world, where Chinese representatives frequently come to the stage to accept the awards.
In the face of these exciting data, we can't help but ask: what is the driving force behind China's rapid development in the field of AI? Can this lead be sustained?
More importantly, how can we stay ahead of the curve in this global AI race while also contributing to the well-being of all humanity?
Originally published in People's Daily on July 5, 2024 "About "Global Generative AI Patent Applications Reach 54,000, China Ranks First and Japan Fourth"
Can AI-generated inventions be patented?
Is it feasible for an AI system to be patented? It's like a monkey who can draw and suddenly wants copyright, which makes people laugh and cry and have to pay attention to it.
This incident raises a series of interesting questions. For example, should AI-created inventions also be protected by patents? You know, today's AI is not vegetarian, and they even surpass humans in their ability to innovate in some fields.
If we don't give AI invention patents, will it be like a treasure map, everyone hides their AI technology, and no one shows it to anyone? Don't get too excited, though. In order to obtain a patent, an AI invention must pass three levels: novelty, inventiveness, and practicality.
It's like participating in a talent show, not only must you be able to sing and dance, but you also have to have a unique talent. Moreover, inventions in some special fields, such as human cloning technology, cannot be conceived even by AI, this is a red line, and no one can touch it.
At the end of the day, the purpose of the patent system is to protect human creativity and promote social development. Countries are now racking their brains to find ways to protect AI inventions without hindering technological progress. It's like playing a balance beam game, encouraging innovation without allowing the AI to "gain an inch".
In the face of these challenges, we can't help but ask: how can we adjust the patent system in today's rapid development of AI? How to find a balance between protecting innovation and promoting technology sharing? In the future, will AI really become an independent subject of invention and have the same rights as humans?
The original article was published in Qilu One Point 2020-07-20 "On "Whether AI-generated Inventions Can Be Patented" Should Be Treated with Caution"
epilogue
I don't know if this result is what everyone thinks? Of course, I also hope that China will be far ahead in the world in more aspects!
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