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US Patent Office Declares AI Cannot Be Inventor, Reinforces Human Role

Source: US Patent Office answers if AI can be considered an inventor and it rejects what Biden government said (2025-11-27)

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has officially clarified that artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI tools, cannot be recognized as an inventor under current patent laws. This decision directly counters recent statements from the Biden administration suggesting AI could be considered an inventor in certain contexts. The USPTO’s new guidelines emphasize that legal credit for inventions must be attributed solely to human inventors, reaffirming foundational patent principles and rejecting previous notions of joint inventorship involving AI. This move aligns with global patent standards, which have historically required human contribution for patent eligibility. In addition to this landmark ruling, several recent developments highlight the evolving landscape of AI and intellectual property: 1. **Global Patent Policies**: The European Patent Office (EPO) has maintained that AI cannot be listed as an inventor, emphasizing human oversight in patent applications across member states. 2. **AI-Generated Inventions**: Courts in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK and Australia, have upheld the principle that AI-generated inventions require human inventors to be named, impacting patent filings worldwide. 3. **Legislative Movements**: The US Congress is actively debating proposed amendments to patent law to explicitly address AI contributions, aiming to clarify rights and ownership. 4. **AI in Innovation Ecosystems**: Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM are investing heavily in AI tools that assist human inventors, but they recognize the importance of human oversight for patent eligibility. 5. **Emerging Ethical Standards**: International organizations such as WIPO are developing guidelines to ensure AI’s role in innovation respects legal and ethical boundaries, emphasizing transparency and human accountability. This decisive stance by the USPTO underscores a broader global consensus: while AI is a powerful tool for innovation, the legal and ethical framework for patents remains rooted in human ingenuity. As AI continues to advance, policymakers, inventors, and legal experts are working together to adapt intellectual property laws, ensuring they foster innovation while maintaining clear attribution rights. This development not only impacts patent filings but also influences how companies strategize their R&D efforts, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human creativity in technological progress. The future of AI and patent law will likely see further refinement, balancing technological capabilities with legal protections to promote responsible innovation worldwide.

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