AI policy

USPTO Releases Additional Guidance on AI Use in Patent Proceedings

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued additional guidance to remind stakeholders of the use of artificial intelligence in patent proceedings.

The recently released document aims to ensure that patent and trademark professionals, innovators and entrepreneurs know how the technology will impact the process, informing them of the risks associated with AI use and how to mitigate the risks associated with its use, USPTO .gov reported.

Kathi Vidal, undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and director at the USPTO, said that the agency will continue to listen to the public as it supports innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.

The use of AI is not discouraged at the agency. Jamie Holcombe, the agency’s chief information officer, has been leading several initiatives to integrate AI into daily operations. In October 2023, he called on senior federal leaders to ease AI adoption so they could benefit from what it offers.

One application of the technology at USPTO is improving operations and services. In May 2023, the USPTO launched the Track Three Pilot Program to integrate the technology into the pre-examination search report for patent applicants.