Legal Analysis and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence as an Inventor: A Study Based on UK and US Patent Law
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: With the continuous advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, the role AI plays in the innovation process has sparked a profound discussion regarding patent law. Particularly as AI systems become capable of independently generating inventions, the question of whether AI can be recognized as an inventor has emerged as a crucial issue in contemporary legal discourse. This paper aims to explore whether AI can be regarded as an inventor under the patent law frameworks of the United Kingdom and the United States and to analyze the implications of this issue on patent law. In particular, it adopts a literature analysis approach, reviewing relevant legal texts, case judgments, and academic discussions, with key sources including major patent law cases in the UK and the US, such as Thaler v. Comptroller of Patents and Thaler v. Vidal. The results indicate that both UK and US patent laws explicitly state that AI systems cannot be recognized as inventors. The term “inventor” in patent law is strictly defined as a natural person, which creates a barrier to recognizing AI as an inventor. Despite its significant role in innovation, AI cannot be seen as an inventor under current legal definitions. In the future, patent law may need to be adjusted to address the new challenges posed by AI technology.
Author: Tongyuan Zhang
Institution: Sichuan University of Science and Engineering
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4411494970