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The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) has long been a leading force in advancing the practice of intellectual property law and is one of the most popular IP conferences. Numerous AI Patent Drafting Tools were present at AIPLA this year, showcasing a technological breakthrough that promises to reshape the way patent attorneys and intellectual property professionals work. As artificial intelligence (AI) finds applications in almost every industry, patent professionals are discovering how it can simplify the complexities of drafting patents and accelerate AI patent prosecution processes.

In this article, we explore how drafting patents with AI is transforming the field, the tools available to attorneys, the benefits of AI-powered drafting solutions, and what the future might hold for intellectual property law.

In artificial intelligence (AI) development, particularly in domains like generative AI (Gen AI), running structured evaluations - known as evals - is an incredibly useful tool. Evals test models and algorithms in development against real-world tasks to measure performance, detect errors, and improve reliability. In fields such as intellectual property (IP) law, these evals ensure that AI tools meet the high standards of accuracy and compliance required for professional use.

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into professional workflows, the need for transparency in AI-assisted tasks is increasingly important. One key area where this applies is the patent industry, where accuracy and traceability are critical. To support this, we are introducing a new feature: AI Track Changes, designed to provide clear insights into how AI-generated suggestions and edits are being made to your patent applications, Office action responses, and other patent documents.

A recent T-decision of the Boards of Appeal (T 1741/22) has provided an interesting deviation in how the EPO assesses the requirement of inventive step, from both a previous decision (T 2681/16) and the EPO Guidelines for Examination.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already having a substantial impact in the practice of Intellectual Property (IP) Law, with platforms such as Solve Intelligence's Patent Copilot assisting attorneys in drafting and prosecuting patent applications. These AI platforms can help patent attorneys realise efficiency gains and help to provide high-quality patents. 

Until earlier this year, the use of AI was largely unregulated across the world. Now, the picture has somewhat changed, with different countries implementing different strategies when it comes to regulating AI, to promote safety but also to remain competitive. Earlier this year, the Artificial Intelligence Act entered into force in the EU, becoming the world's first comprehensive regulation for AI. In this article we have a look at the obligations that the EU AI Act puts on AI technology providers, such as providers of AI patent drafting and prosecution tools.

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the filing of patent applications relating to AI-inventions at the EPO. In response to this, the EPO has started and continues to develop a framework for assessing the eligibility and patentability of AI inventions, with the introduction of new guidelines and evolving case law. This article outlines key considerations, common pitfalls, and best practices for drafting patent applications directed to AI inventions at the EPO.