Artificial intelligence is changing the world, and companies are racing to secure patents that will protect their innovations. From healthcare to autonomous vehicles, AI patent filings have surged across industries, reflecting the rapid advancements in AI technology. In this article, we’ll break down the latest stats on AI patents, explain why they matter, and provide actionable advice for businesses, inventors, and investors looking to capitalize on this patent boom.

1. Over 340,000 AI-related patents were filed globally between 2010 and 2020

The last decade has seen an explosion in AI-related patent filings, with more than 340,000 patents filed worldwide. This number highlights the massive investment in AI research and development across different sectors.

What this means for you: If you’re developing AI technology, securing a patent is more critical than ever. Without protection, competitors can easily copy your innovation. Filing a strong AI patent early can give you a competitive edge and help you attract investors.

2. AI patent filings grew at an annual rate of 28% between 2015 and 2020

AI patent filings are growing faster than patents in most other technology fields. A 28% annual growth rate shows the increasing importance of AI across industries, from healthcare to finance.

What you should do: If you’re working on AI-related innovations, don’t wait to file a patent. The longer you delay, the more crowded the space becomes. Work with an experienced patent attorney to craft a strong application that clearly defines your invention’s unique aspects.

3. China leads AI patent filings, accounting for nearly 70% of all global AI patents

China dominates AI patent filings, with nearly 70% of global AI patents coming from Chinese companies and institutions. The Chinese government has made AI a national priority, investing billions into AI research.

Key takeaway: If you’re a U.S. or European company, be aware that Chinese firms are aggressively patenting AI technologies. To stay competitive, file your patents early and consider filing in China if you plan to enter that market.

4. The U.S. ranks second, with around 18% of AI patent filings

The U.S. still holds a strong position in AI patent filings, second only to China. Major tech companies, including IBM, Microsoft, and Google, contribute significantly to this number.

What this means for businesses: If you’re a U.S.-based AI innovator, you still have a strong patent system that protects your rights. However, global competition is fierce. Expanding your patent strategy beyond the U.S. could be a smart move.

5. The EU holds approximately 5% of AI patent filings worldwide

Europe lags behind China and the U.S. in AI patent filings, accounting for just 5% of the global total. However, European companies are increasingly recognizing AI’s value, and patent filings are steadily growing.

Advice for European AI startups: If you’re based in Europe, take advantage of regional AI research funding and support programs. Patent your innovations early to compete globally.

6. Japan and South Korea together contribute around 6% of AI patents

Japan and South Korea are home to tech giants like Sony, Samsung, and LG, which are investing heavily in AI. While their combined patent filings are lower than China’s, they still hold a significant share of AI innovation.

Japan and South Korea are home to tech giants like Sony, Samsung, and LG, which are investing heavily in AI. While their combined patent filings are lower than China’s, they still hold a significant share of AI innovation.

What this means: If you’re in Japan or South Korea, take advantage of strong R&D ecosystems and government incentives for AI innovation. Consider patenting AI-driven consumer electronics and robotics technologies, where these countries excel.

7. AI-related patents represent about 10% of all tech patents filed annually

AI patents now account for 10% of all technology-related patents, showing how AI is becoming a key driver of innovation.

Your move: If you’re in a tech-driven industry, AI patents are no longer optional—they’re necessary for staying ahead. Even if your company isn’t traditionally in AI, think about how AI can improve your business and patent those innovations.

8. Natural Language Processing (NLP) patents have increased by 40% annually since 2017

The explosion of AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants has led to a massive increase in NLP patents.

What you should do: If you’re working on language-based AI applications, securing patents in this field is becoming more competitive. Focus on unique algorithms, training methods, or industry-specific applications to stand out.

9. Machine Learning (ML) dominates AI patents, accounting for over 40% of AI-related filings

Machine learning is at the core of AI, and patents in this area make up nearly half of all AI-related filings.

Strategy tip: If you’re working in ML, consider patenting not just your algorithms but also unique applications of ML in different industries. Combining ML with another domain (e.g., ML in cybersecurity) can create a stronger patent.

10. Computer Vision patents account for around 25% of AI filings

Computer vision is revolutionizing industries like healthcare, security, and retail.

Key takeaway: If your AI solution uses image recognition, object detection, or facial recognition, patenting is critical. Focus on innovative aspects such as edge computing, privacy enhancements, or new training techniques.

11. Patents related to AI in healthcare saw a 35% growth from 2018 to 2022

AI is transforming healthcare, from disease detection to personalized medicine.

AI is transforming healthcare, from disease detection to personalized medicine.

Actionable advice: If you’re in AI healthcare, securing patents can increase your company’s value and help with regulatory approvals. Protect not only AI algorithms but also data processing techniques and medical applications.

12. AI autonomous vehicle patents grew at a rate of 38% per year between 2016 and 2021

Autonomous vehicle technology is one of the fastest-growing AI sectors, with companies racing to patent self-driving innovations.

Next steps: If you’re working in AI-driven transportation, file your patents early. The competition is fierce, and securing strong IP can be a major business advantage.

13. AI cybersecurity patents increased by 45% annually from 2017 to 2021

With rising cyber threats, AI-powered cybersecurity solutions are in high demand.

What you can do: If you’re developing AI for threat detection or fraud prevention, focus on patenting unique defense mechanisms and adaptive learning techniques.

14. IBM leads among companies, holding over 9,000 AI-related patents

IBM has been an AI patent leader for years, consistently investing in AI innovation.

What this means: If major players like IBM are heavily investing in AI patents, smaller companies should do the same to remain competitive.

15. Microsoft and Google each own more than 5,000 AI patents

Big tech companies are aggressively filing AI patents to secure their dominance.

Key takeaway: If you’re a startup, patenting your AI tech can make you more attractive to investors and potential acquisitions.

16. Samsung is the top non-U.S. company, with over 6,000 AI-related patents

Samsung has aggressively invested in AI, particularly in consumer electronics, semiconductors, and mobile technologies. Its vast patent portfolio reflects its long-term strategy to integrate AI into everything from smartphones to home appliances.

What this means for you: If you’re in the AI hardware or consumer electronics space, securing patents early is essential. Big players like Samsung are dominating AI patent filings, making it harder for smaller companies to secure broad protections.

Focus on niche areas where you can differentiate, such as AI-powered wearable technology or smart home automation.

17. AI patents related to robotics saw a 50% surge from 2018 to 2023

AI-powered robotics is growing fast, with patents covering everything from industrial automation to personal assistant robots. This surge is driven by advancements in AI-driven motion planning, computer vision, and reinforcement learning.

AI-powered robotics is growing fast, with patents covering everything from industrial automation to personal assistant robots. This surge is driven by advancements in AI-driven motion planning, computer vision, and reinforcement learning.

Actionable strategy: If you are working on AI robotics, focus on patenting unique control algorithms, decision-making processes, or industry-specific applications. Robotics patents are often broad, so a well-crafted application can give you a strong competitive edge.

18. AI semiconductor patents increased by 30% annually over the last five years

AI chips are in high demand, with companies like NVIDIA, Intel, and Apple heavily investing in custom silicon designed for AI workloads. The rapid growth in AI semiconductor patents reflects the industry’s push toward more efficient and specialized processors.

Key takeaway: If you’re in AI hardware, securing patents around chip architecture, energy efficiency, or novel computing methods can position your company as an industry leader. Given the complexity of semiconductor patents, working with an experienced patent attorney is crucial.

19. AI patents in finance grew by 25% annually since 2018

AI is transforming the financial sector, with applications in fraud detection, algorithmic trading, risk assessment, and customer service automation. As banks and fintech companies integrate AI, patent filings in this space have surged.

How to take advantage: If you’re developing AI-powered financial tools, consider patenting unique aspects like proprietary risk modeling, fraud detection algorithms, or AI-driven investment strategies.

Many financial AI innovations involve unique datasets—protecting how you use that data can be just as important as patenting the algorithm itself.

20. AI drug discovery patents surged by 60% in 2022 alone

AI is revolutionizing pharmaceutical research by drastically reducing drug discovery timelines. Machine learning models can analyze vast biological datasets to identify promising drug candidates, leading to a surge in AI-powered drug discovery patents.

What this means for biotech startups: If you’re working on AI-driven drug discovery, patent your AI models, data processing methods, and any AI-generated compounds or biomarkers. The pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive, and strong patents can help attract funding or licensing deals with major biotech firms.

21. AI edge computing patents increased by 32% annually since 2020

With the rise of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, AI is increasingly moving to the "edge"—running locally on devices rather than relying on cloud processing. This shift has led to a boom in edge AI patents.

With the rise of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, AI is increasingly moving to the “edge”—running locally on devices rather than relying on cloud processing. This shift has led to a boom in edge AI patents.

What this means for innovators: If you’re working on AI for edge devices (like smart cameras, wearables, or autonomous drones), patenting your model optimization techniques or low-power AI inference methods can give you a strong market position.

22. AI biometric patents (e.g., face, voice, fingerprint) grew by 28% annually from 2018 to 2022

Biometric authentication is becoming a security standard, with AI-powered face, voice, and fingerprint recognition driving patent filings in this space.

Key takeaway: If you’re working in AI-powered security, focus on patenting improvements in accuracy, anti-spoofing techniques, or privacy-preserving biometric solutions. Given rising privacy concerns, solutions that balance security and user consent will have a competitive edge.

23. AI-powered recommendation system patents saw a 35% growth since 2019

AI-driven recommendation engines are at the heart of e-commerce, streaming, and social media platforms. Companies like Amazon, Netflix, and TikTok have filed thousands of patents around AI-based personalization.

Your move: If you’re building AI-powered recommendations, securing patents around user profiling, real-time adaptation, or hybrid AI models (combining collaborative and content-based filtering) can protect your innovations from competitors.

24. AI quantum computing patents rose by 50% per year over the last five years

Quantum computing and AI are merging, with researchers exploring how quantum algorithms can accelerate machine learning. This rapid growth in patents indicates that major players see quantum AI as a game-changer.

What to do next: If you’re in the AI-quantum space, patenting unique quantum machine learning algorithms or quantum-inspired AI techniques could position your company as a pioneer. Because this field is still evolving, early patents could become highly valuable in the future.

25. AI smart city patents increased by 40% annually from 2017 to 2022

Cities are getting smarter with AI-powered traffic management, energy optimization, and surveillance systems. Governments and companies are heavily investing in AI-driven urban infrastructure.

Actionable insight: If you’re developing AI solutions for smart cities, patenting traffic prediction models, energy-efficient AI systems, or urban data processing methods can provide strong IP protection. Public-private partnerships can also provide funding for patent-backed projects.

26. AI-related 5G patents expanded at a 30% annual growth rate

AI is playing a crucial role in optimizing 5G networks, enabling smarter bandwidth allocation, predictive maintenance, and automated network security.

AI is playing a crucial role in optimizing 5G networks, enabling smarter bandwidth allocation, predictive maintenance, and automated network security.

How to leverage this: If you’re working on AI-driven telecom innovations, securing patents in AI-powered network optimization, traffic prediction, or autonomous network security can position your company as an industry leader.

27. Over 90% of AI patents focus on software-based innovations rather than hardware

Unlike traditional tech patents, most AI patents focus on software rather than hardware. This highlights the importance of algorithms, data processing techniques, and AI architectures.

What you should do: If you’re developing AI software, ensure your patent claims are broad enough to cover different applications while being specific enough to withstand legal scrutiny. Work with an AI patent expert to refine your claims for maximum protection.

28. AI ethical and explainability patents have doubled between 2020 and 2023

As AI becomes more widespread, ethical concerns and explainability are becoming critical areas of innovation. Companies are filing patents related to bias detection, transparent AI decision-making, and AI fairness.

Why this matters: If you’re developing AI that requires high transparency (such as AI in hiring or credit scoring), patenting your explainability techniques can give you a major advantage. Investors and regulators are increasingly favoring AI systems that are accountable and fair.

29. AI agriculture patents grew by 42% from 2018 to 2022

AI is transforming agriculture with innovations in crop monitoring, automated harvesting, and precision farming.

What you should do: If you’re working in AgriTech, patenting AI-driven soil analysis, pest detection, or irrigation optimization can make your technology more attractive to investors and agricultural companies.

30. AI energy efficiency patents increased by 37% annually in the last five years

AI is helping reduce energy consumption through smart grid management, demand forecasting, and automated energy-saving systems.

Key takeaway: If you’re developing AI for energy optimization, patenting energy-efficient algorithms and predictive maintenance models can differentiate you from competitors.

AI-powered sustainability solutions will continue to gain traction as companies seek to reduce their carbon footprint.

AI-powered sustainability solutions will continue to gain traction as companies seek to reduce their carbon footprint.

wrapping it up

The AI patent boom is not just a trend—it’s a race that is defining the future of technology. With AI transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, companies that secure strong intellectual property rights now will be in the best position to lead and profit in the years ahead.

From healthcare and finance to robotics and smart cities, AI-driven innovations are reshaping the global landscape. But with patent filings increasing rapidly, the competition to protect AI inventions is more intense than ever.

The data is clear: AI patent filings are skyrocketing, and companies like IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Samsung are aggressively protecting their technologies. If you’re an AI innovator, delaying your patent strategy could mean losing out to competitors who move faster.