Technology innovators intensified efforts over the last year to secure intellectual property rights on transformative technologies ranging from AI to blockchain platforms. While IBM maintained its overwhelming lead in U.S. patent awards, Chinese manufacturers continue to make steady progress gaining control of IP while the growth rate for patent awards in machine learning soared. An annual patent survey released by IFI Claims Patent Services found that machine-learning patent applications are among the fastest growing categories. Larry Cady, a senior analyst with IFI, estimates the patent category that includes machine learning and neural networks grew at a 34 percent annual rate over the last five years. "I don't see that trend slowing," Cady added in an interview.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents machine-based intelligence, typically manifest in "cognitive" functions that humans associate with other human minds. There are a range of different technologies involved in AI including Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Deep Learning, and more. Cognitive Computing involves self-learning systems that use data mining, pattern recognition and natural language processing to mimic the way the human brain works. Key industry verticals covered include use of AI in Internet related services and products, Financial Services, Medical and Bio-informatics, Manufacturing, and Telecommunications. Some of the key application areas covered include Marketing and Business Decision Making, Workplace Automation, Predictive Analysis and Forecast, Fraud Detection and Classification.