London – JAMS, the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to share that today the South African patent office issued the world’s first patent for an invention that lists an artificial intelligence (AI) as the inventor and the AI’s owner as the owner of the patent. JAMS neutral Ryan Abbott, M.D., Esq., FCIArb, played an instrumental role in leading a group of international patent attorneys in the successful endeavor to obtain protection for an AI-generated invention.
The patented invention was generated by DABUS (Device for the Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience). Created by Dr. Stephen Thaler, CEO of Imagination Engines, DABUS is an extensive artificial neural system that combines the memories of various learned elements to create new and complex concepts. Inventions conceived by DABUS include an emergency warning light and a food container that improves grip and heat transfer.
We see this issuance as a key step toward recognition of the importance of encouraging individuals and companies to make, develop and use AI to generate socially valuable innovations. As AI continues to advance and to increasingly perform human sorts of activities, this will result in a host of challenges and opportunities for businesses, including with respect to disputes.
- Ryan Abbott, M.D., Esq., FCIArb
At the heart of this development is the changing nature of research and development, and the importance of incentivizing businesses to use AI to solve problems. From a strategic perspective, this development legitimizes using patent enforcement to protect AI-generated ideas and will require businesses to rethink how to manage and resolve disputes involving AI and other disruptive technologies.
This same patent is the subject of ongoing proceedings including in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Australia and at the European Patent Office.
Dr. Abbott joined JAMS as a mediator and arbitrator in 2018, leveraging his experience in intellectual property and health law, with a focus in such matters as biologics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical and life sciences, computer technology and distributed ledger technology. Dr. Abbott is a licensed physician and patent attorney in the United States (California and New York) and a solicitor advocate in England and Wales.
More information can be found about DABUS and the project to secure intellectual property rights for inventions generated by AI on The Artificial Inventor Project site.
About JAMS – Local Solutions. Global Reach.
Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide. JAMS successfully resolves and manages business and legal disputes by providing efficient, cost-effective and impartial ways to overcome barriers at any stage of conflict. JAMS offers customized in-person, virtual and hybrid resolution services locally and globally through a combination of industry-specific experience, first-class client service, the latest technology and highly trained mediators and arbitrators.
With a roster of over 400 neutrals and 29 locations, JAMS resolves thousands of the world’s important cases every year. JAMS neutrals are adept at managing the resolution process whether they are conducting in-person, virtual or hybrid hearings.
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