Most of us know that DATA, the beloved android from Star Trek, The Next Generation, is an artificial intelligence (AI) life form from the distant future with a high capacity to problem solve and innovate. But, if DATA were present today and invented a new technology, could he be an inventor on a patent for his invention?

The question of whether AI can legally be an inventor on a patent was recently addressed by the European Patent Office (EPO) and The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). The same question is still being evaluated by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) along with solicitation for comments to the patent community.
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In our Feb. 9th blog post, we highlighted some of the amazing technology being used at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. While awe-inspiring, the use of these technologies can give rise to legal challenges that may need consideration.

AI, Robots and Drones – Oh My!

Artificial intelligence (AI) abounds at this year’s Winter Olympics, particularly in the form of robots and drones. South Korea has one of the highest concentrations of industrial robots in the world, so it’s no surprise that this Olympic host country is using 85 very different AI-enabled robots to do everything from greeting travelers and providing multilingual information on schedules, transport, and attractions, to carrying the Olympic torch. As part of the entertainment at the games, robots even competed in their own Olympic ski challenge this week. Drones are also taking center stage with elaborate light shows and filming techniques.Continue Reading Technology’s Legal Road to the 2018 Winter Olympics – and Beyond