AI Speeds Patent Process, But Robot Attorneys Still a Ways Off

Marc Kaufman typically needs 20 hours to create one patent application for a software innovation. But the Washington-based patent attorney says he's saving valuable time with a little high-tech help. Kaufman, a partner at Rimon PC, has been using an artificial intelligence tool called Specifio that analyzes claims--words that define an invention--and generates a bare-bones draft with a description and illustrations in a couple of minutes. He says the tool he started using six months ago has given him five extra hours to fine-tune his clients' applications to boost their likelihood of approval. "Saving hours allows me to really understand the client's business and be very strategic with the patent application, while coming in at a price that clients are willing to pay," Kaufman said.