WIPO puts AI and inventorship on the agenda: What inventors should know
Using AI to develop an invention raises questions: What did the human inventors contribute? Who should be named in the patent application? How should the development process be documented?
These questions featured at the 38th session of WIPO’s Standing Committee on the Law of Patents, held in Geneva on November 2–6, 2026.
The agenda addressed AI and inventorship, the patentability of AI-related inventions, and the use of AI in patent examination.
For inventors working with AI, this international discussion highlights the importance of considering IP throughout development.
The meeting does not establish a new global rulebook. Patent protection still requires careful consideration of the invention, the facts, and the relevant jurisdictions.
At FIPG, we follow these developments closely to connect evolving patent policy with the practical decisions facing inventors and R&D teams.
Three steps deserve attention:
Identify the human contribution. Capture the technical decisions, insights, and refinements made by your team.
Document the development process. Keep records of experiments, alternatives, validation, and how AI tools were used.
Bring your patent advisor into the conversation early. Discuss inventorship and filing strategy while the technical details are fresh.
As AI becomes embedded in research and development, understanding the relationship between human ingenuity and machine assistance becomes increasingly relevant to IP strategy.
Is your invention documentation keeping pace with your use of AI?
Read the agenda and supporting documents on the official WIPO session page: https://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?la=EN&meeting_id=89811.