Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the future, and everyone knows it. From tech giants like Google and Microsoft to fast-moving startups, companies are racing to file patents and protect their innovations. The battle for AI dominance isn’t just about who builds the best models—it’s also about who owns the intellectual property (IP).
1. Over 80,000 AI patents have been filed globally in the last five years
AI has exploded in recent years, and so has the number of patents. In the past five years alone, more than 80,000 AI-related patents have been filed worldwide. This number keeps growing as companies race to secure their place in the AI revolution.
For startups, this massive number means two things: competition and opportunity. The sheer volume of patents makes it harder to find unique ideas that aren’t already patented. But at the same time, AI is still evolving, and there are many areas where innovation is needed.
Actionable Takeaway: Before filing an AI patent, conduct a deep patent search to ensure your idea isn’t already claimed. Look for gaps in existing patents and innovate in those spaces.
2. Tech giants own more than 65% of all AI-related patents worldwide
Big Tech isn’t just leading AI development; they’re also dominating the patent landscape. Companies like IBM, Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI control more than 65% of all AI-related patents worldwide.
For startups, this is a major hurdle. Many AI patents are broad and cover foundational technologies, making it difficult for smaller companies to innovate without stepping on legal landmines.
Actionable Takeaway: If you’re a startup, focus on niche AI applications where Big Tech hasn’t yet fully established dominance. Specializing in industry-specific AI solutions can reduce the risk of patent disputes.
3. AI patent filings by startups have increased by 500% since 2018
Startups are fighting back. In the past five years, their AI patent filings have skyrocketed by 500%. This surge shows that small companies understand the importance of securing intellectual property early.
But while more startups are filing patents, many still struggle to get them granted. Big Tech has the resources to challenge filings, slowing down the process for smaller companies.
Actionable Takeaway: File your patents as early as possible. Even if you’re not ready to launch, securing a provisional patent gives you priority over competitors.
4. Google, Microsoft, IBM, and OpenAI hold over 20,000 AI patents combined
Just four companies—Google, Microsoft, IBM, and OpenAI—hold over 20,000 AI-related patents. These corporations aren’t just innovating; they’re using patents to build strong legal barriers around their technology.
For startups, this means navigating a minefield. AI patents are often broad, covering everything from deep learning algorithms to AI-powered chatbots.
Actionable Takeaway: Work with a patent attorney who specializes in AI to ensure your technology doesn’t infringe on existing patents.
5. The top 10 AI patent holders control nearly 50% of AI-related intellectual property
If you think AI patents are spread out across thousands of companies, think again. The top 10 AI patent holders control almost half of the industry’s intellectual property.
This centralization gives Big Tech enormous power. They can block competitors, license their technology, or launch patent lawsuits against startups that get too close to their innovations.
Actionable Takeaway: If your startup is in a field dominated by Big Tech patents, consider negotiating licensing deals early. Avoid legal battles by ensuring your AI builds on new, unpatented methods.
6. IBM leads AI patent filings, with over 5,500 AI-related patents granted
IBM has been a leader in AI patents for years, securing over 5,500 granted AI-related patents. Their patents cover everything from AI-powered cybersecurity to natural language processing.
For startups, competing against companies like IBM requires agility. While IBM focuses on large-scale enterprise AI, smaller companies can target niche applications.
Actionable Takeaway: If you’re developing an AI product, analyze IBM’s patents and find areas where they haven’t focused. Innovation in underserved industries can be a winning strategy.
7. China files the most AI patents annually, surpassing the U.S. by 30%
AI isn’t just a U.S.-led industry anymore. China now files 30% more AI patents per year than the U.S. Companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu are aggressively expanding their AI portfolios.
For startups in Western markets, this signals rising competition. Chinese firms are securing patents at a rapid pace, making it harder for U.S. and European startups to expand into Asia.
Actionable Takeaway: If you plan to scale internationally, consider filing AI patents in China early. The Chinese market is becoming a major player in AI, and securing IP there can protect your business from future competition.
8. Over 70% of AI startup patents focus on machine learning and deep learning
Most AI startup patents—more than 70%—focus on machine learning and deep learning. This makes sense since these technologies power everything from chatbots to recommendation engines.
But this also means high competition. If you’re filing a patent in machine learning, expect delays, challenges, and potential pushback from Big Tech.
Actionable Takeaway: Look beyond deep learning. AI fields like symbolic AI, hybrid AI, and explainable AI have fewer patents but growing demand.
9. Big Tech files AI patents at a rate 3x faster than startups
Tech giants aren’t just filing more patents—they’re doing it faster. On average, they file AI patents three times faster than startups.
This speed advantage gives them control over emerging AI technologies before startups even enter the market.
Actionable Takeaway: Speed matters in patent filings. If you have an AI breakthrough, don’t wait to file. A provisional patent can protect your idea while you refine your product.
10. 40% of AI startups face patent-related legal disputes with tech giants
Patent wars aren’t just hypothetical. About 40% of AI startups face legal disputes over patents with major tech firms. These disputes drain resources, delay product launches, and sometimes force startups out of business.
Actionable Takeaway: Startups should budget for potential legal battles. Work with a patent attorney to strengthen your filings and defend against claims from larger competitors.
11. AI patents related to natural language processing (NLP) have grown by 250% in the past three years
Natural Language Processing (NLP) has seen explosive growth, with AI patents in this field increasing by 250% in just three years. This rise is driven by the success of AI-powered chatbots, voice assistants, and generative AI models like ChatGPT.
For startups, this means that while NLP is a high-growth area, it is also highly competitive. Many fundamental NLP techniques are already patented, making it difficult for new entrants to file broad patents.
Actionable Takeaway:
Startups should focus on specialized NLP applications, such as AI-powered legal writing, medical text analysis, or low-resource language models. Differentiation is key to securing a valuable patent in this crowded space.
12. Only 15% of AI patents filed by startups get granted without legal challenges
Filing a patent is just the first step. For startups, the road to getting an AI patent granted is tough, with only 15% of filings going through without facing legal opposition. This is because tech giants often challenge patents that could compete with their existing technologies.
Patent challenges can lead to delays, increased legal costs, or even the rejection of a patent. Startups that don’t prepare for this risk could lose valuable time and resources.
Actionable Takeaway:
Conduct thorough prior art research before filing a patent. Clearly define the uniqueness of your invention and be prepared to defend it in case of opposition. A strong patent application with well-documented claims can reduce the risk of legal pushback.
13. Tech giants spend over $1 billion annually on AI patent litigation and defense
Big Tech isn’t just filing AI patents—they’re aggressively defending them. Collectively, tech giants spend over $1 billion every year on AI patent litigation and defense, making it difficult for smaller companies to challenge their dominance.
This means that startups entering the AI space must have a well-thought-out patent strategy, or risk getting caught in costly legal battles.
Actionable Takeaway:
Consider cross-licensing agreements with larger firms or focus on niche AI applications that don’t directly compete with Big Tech’s core technologies.
14. More than 60% of AI startup patents are in computer vision and automation
AI startups are heavily focused on computer vision and automation, with over 60% of their patents in these areas. From facial recognition to autonomous robotics, startups are driving innovation in these fields.
However, with so many patents being filed, differentiation is becoming harder. The challenge for startups is to find unique use cases that haven’t already been claimed by competitors.
Actionable Takeaway:
Explore AI applications in underdeveloped industries such as agriculture, logistics, and energy. Filing patents in niche areas reduces competition and increases the likelihood of getting a patent granted.
15. The average AI patent takes 3.2 years to be granted
The patent approval process isn’t quick. On average, it takes 3.2 years for an AI patent to be granted, which can be a long wait for startups that need IP protection fast.
Delays in patent approval can make it harder to attract investors and protect innovations from being copied by competitors.
Actionable Takeaway:
Startups should file provisional patents first to secure an early priority date. Working with an experienced patent attorney can also help speed up the approval process by ensuring that the application is strong from the start.
16. Over 80% of AI patents involve neural network-based innovations
The majority of AI patents—more than 80%—involve neural networks. This includes advancements in deep learning, reinforcement learning, and AI model optimization.
For startups, this means that many foundational AI concepts are already patented, making it crucial to develop novel approaches rather than relying on standard neural network architectures.
Actionable Takeaway:
Look beyond deep learning and explore hybrid AI models that combine symbolic reasoning, rule-based systems, or edge AI for more unique patent opportunities.
17. Patents for AI-powered cybersecurity solutions have surged by 400% in the last five years
AI-powered cybersecurity is becoming a hot area, with patents in this field increasing by 400% in the last five years. Companies are using AI for threat detection, fraud prevention, and automated security responses.
This growth highlights the increasing demand for AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, but it also means that the field is becoming competitive.
Actionable Takeaway:
Startups should focus on AI cybersecurity solutions tailored to specific industries, such as finance, healthcare, or IoT security, where patent opportunities are still emerging.
18. Startups account for 35% of new AI patent filings in the U.S.
Despite the dominance of Big Tech, startups still account for 35% of new AI patent filings in the U.S. This shows that smaller companies are actively competing for intellectual property, even in a field dominated by major players.
However, startups often struggle with the resources needed to defend their patents in case of legal disputes.
Actionable Takeaway:
Startups should collaborate with universities, research institutions, or larger firms for co-patenting opportunities. Partnerships can provide additional legal support and credibility in patent disputes.
19. AI hardware patents (like AI chips) have increased by 300% since 2020
As AI models grow larger, the demand for specialized AI hardware is skyrocketing. Patents related to AI chips and hardware optimization have increased by 300% since 2020, driven by companies like NVIDIA, Apple, and Google.
For startups, AI hardware represents an opportunity, but also a challenge due to the high costs of research and development.
Actionable Takeaway:
Instead of competing with Big Tech on AI chips, startups can focus on software-hardware optimization techniques, such as energy-efficient model training or cloud-based AI acceleration.
20. Patent disputes in AI have doubled since 2019
AI patent lawsuits are increasing rapidly, with disputes doubling since 2019. Many of these lawsuits involve claims of patent infringement, trade secret theft, or unauthorized use of AI algorithms.
For startups, this legal landscape means they must be cautious when developing AI technologies that might overlap with existing patents.
Actionable Takeaway:
Always conduct a freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis before launching an AI product. This ensures your AI technology doesn’t infringe on existing patents, reducing legal risks.
21. Big Tech has acquired over 200 AI startups in the past five years, many for their patents
The AI patent war isn’t just about filing patents—it’s also about acquiring them. In the last five years, tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta have acquired more than 200 AI startups, primarily to gain control over their patents and technology.
For startups, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, tech giants are aggressively buying promising AI startups, making it harder for independent players to compete. On the other hand, this acquisition trend provides an exit strategy for startups with strong patent portfolios.
Actionable Takeaway:
If you’re an AI startup, focus on building a valuable patent portfolio. Investors and big companies are more likely to acquire startups that own defensible IP. Filing strategic patents can significantly increase your company’s valuation.
22. AI patents related to ethical AI and bias reduction have grown by 180%
AI ethics and bias mitigation have become critical topics in recent years. In response, AI patents focused on reducing bias, increasing fairness, and ensuring transparency have grown by 180%. Companies are realizing that biased AI can lead to reputational damage and legal issues.
Startups working in AI ethics have a growing opportunity to patent innovations in fairness-aware algorithms, bias detection, and explainable AI.
Actionable Takeaway:
If you’re building an AI system, consider adding bias detection or explainability features. Not only is this a growing field, but it also improves compliance with AI regulations and increases trust among users.
23. Over 50% of AI-related patent lawsuits involve allegations of trade secret theft
Many AI patent disputes aren’t just about patent infringement—they also involve claims of trade secret theft. More than half of AI patent-related lawsuits include allegations that former employees, competitors, or partners misappropriated confidential AI technologies.
For startups, this highlights the importance of securing their trade secrets. Many AI innovations are difficult to patent, making them vulnerable to theft.
Actionable Takeaway:
Use strong non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) when working with developers, partners, and investors. Implement cybersecurity measures to protect proprietary AI algorithms and training data.
24. Nearly 90% of AI patents filed by startups focus on software-based AI
Unlike tech giants, which have the resources to file patents across both software and hardware, nearly 90% of AI startup patents focus exclusively on software-based AI. This includes AI models, data processing techniques, and automation algorithms.
While software patents can be valuable, they are often harder to enforce due to legal challenges around software patentability.
Actionable Takeaway:
Consider filing patents on AI infrastructure improvements, such as efficiency-boosting algorithms or AI security mechanisms. These tend to have stronger patent protection than high-level software applications.
25. Startups win less than 30% of AI patent disputes against major tech companies
Patent disputes between startups and tech giants rarely end in favor of the smaller company. In fact, startups win fewer than 30% of AI patent disputes, mainly because tech giants have larger legal teams and deeper resources.
This means startups need to be extremely cautious when navigating the AI patent landscape.
Actionable Takeaway:
Before entering an AI patent dispute, weigh the legal costs and risks. If necessary, consider licensing agreements or partnerships instead of litigation. A well-documented patent with clear claims can also strengthen a startup’s legal position.
26. Tech giants file an average of 15 AI patents per day globally
Tech giants aren’t slowing down. On average, major tech firms file 15 AI-related patents per day, covering everything from natural language processing to autonomous systems.
This aggressive patent filing strategy allows them to dominate the AI landscape, making it increasingly difficult for smaller players to secure broad AI patents.
Actionable Takeaway:
Startups should focus on patenting highly specific, application-driven AI innovations rather than competing with tech giants in broad AI categories.
27. More than 25% of AI patents granted are related to autonomous systems
Autonomous systems, including self-driving cars, drones, and AI-powered industrial automation, now account for over 25% of AI patents granted. Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Amazon are filing aggressively in this area.
Startups looking to enter the autonomous AI market must navigate a dense patent landscape, making it harder to launch new products without licensing agreements or legal protections.
Actionable Takeaway:
If working in autonomous AI, conduct a thorough freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis before launching your product. Consider alternative approaches that avoid infringing on heavily patented technologies.
28. Patent licensing deals for AI technology have increased by 120% in the last two years
Instead of fighting patent battles, many companies are choosing to license AI patents. The number of licensing deals for AI patents has increased by 120% in the past two years.
For startups, licensing can provide a way to access cutting-edge AI technology without facing legal risks. It also presents a monetization strategy for startups that own strong AI patents.
Actionable Takeaway:
If you hold valuable AI patents, explore licensing opportunities instead of solely focusing on product development. This can generate a steady revenue stream while still allowing innovation.
29. The AI healthcare patent sector has seen a 500% growth in the past decade
AI is revolutionizing healthcare, and patent filings reflect this growth. Over the past decade, AI-related healthcare patents have increased by 500%, covering areas like AI-driven diagnostics, robotic surgery, and personalized medicine.
This rapid growth signals a huge opportunity for startups in medical AI. However, regulations and compliance requirements add complexity to patenting in this space.
Actionable Takeaway:
AI healthcare startups should work closely with regulatory experts to ensure that their patents align with medical compliance laws like FDA approvals and HIPAA regulations.
30. AI patent filings related to generative AI models have increased by 600% since 2019
Generative AI is one of the fastest-growing AI fields, with patent filings increasing by 600% since 2019. Companies like OpenAI, Google, and Stability AI are filing patents for AI-generated text, images, music, and even code.
With so many patents being filed, the landscape is becoming complex, making it hard for new entrants to find patentable innovations in generative AI.
Actionable Takeaway:
If working on generative AI, focus on specific use cases, such as AI-generated educational materials, scientific research, or industry-specific creative AI tools. Broad generative AI patents are becoming harder to secure.
wrapping it up
The AI patent war is in full swing, with startups and tech giants locked in a battle for intellectual property dominance. While Big Tech leads in sheer numbers, filing 15 AI patents per day, startups are filing at a record pace, having increased their patent filings by 500% since 2018.
The race is not just about innovation—it’s about who owns the technology that will shape the future of AI.
