China has surged ahead in the global race for artificial intelligence innovation, filing more than 38,000 new AI patent applications between 2014 and 2023, as revealed by the UN World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This remarkable achievement underscores China’s commitment to advancing AI technology across various industries, positioning itself as a key player on the world stage.
Wei Sun, a senior consultant in artificial research at Counterpoint Research, highlighted China’s vast potential, stating, “China has [a] hugely untapped market for consumers and also for business, industry partners to innovate and help to bring generative AI technologies [in] different applications or industries, using different specialized data sets. That’s the key for China to win, to really have the real world application deployments that might surpass the U.S. in this area”
Generative AI, a subset of artificial intelligence that enables users to create content such as text, images, music, and videos, has seen significant patent activity. China leads with 38,210 inventions, far surpassing the U.S. (6,276), Republic of Korea (4,155), Japan (3,409) and India (1,350).
This surge in AI patents is part of China’s broader strategy to enhance its technological capabilities. Major Chinese tech companies like Tencent and Baidu are leading the charge, with Tencent filing 2,074 generative AI patents. WIPO Director General Daren Tang emphasized the importance of understanding where innovation is headed, noting that patent statistics provide valuable insights into the progression of this transformative technology.
China’s rapid advancements in AI patents reflect its growing influence in the global tech race. As demand for AI technology continues to rise, China’s leadership in patent filings positions it as a crucial player in shaping the future of AI.
Key Findings of the WIPO Report:
Check out the key findings of the report:
- In 2023 alone over 25% of all GenAI patents globally were published, and over 45% of all GenAI scientific papers were published.
- GenAI patents still currently only represent 6% of all AI patents globally.
- The top 10 GenAI patent applicants are Tencent (2,074 inventions), Ping An Insurance (1,564 inventions), Baidu (1,234 inventions), Chinese Academy of Sciences (607), IBM (601), Alibaba Group (571), Samsung Electronics (468), Alphabet (443), ByteDance (418), Microsoft (377).
- The top five inventor locations are China (38,210 inventions), US (6,276 inventions), Republic of Korea (4,155 inventions), Japan (3,409) and India (1,350)
- Image and video data dominate GenAI patents (17,996 inventions), followed by text (13,494 inventions) and speech/music (13,480 inventions). GenAI patents using molecule, gene and protein-based data are growing rapidly (1,494 inventions since 2014) with 78% average annual growth over the past five years.
As the demand for AI continues to grow, China’s leadership in AI patents will likely have a profound impact on the development and deployment of AI applications worldwide. This surge in patent activity not only highlights China’s innovative capabilities but also sets the stage for future technological breakthroughs that could redefine industries and drive economic growth globally. With its relentless pursuit of AI excellence, China is poised to shape the future of artificial intelligence in unprecedented ways.
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