Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

Multi-fold increases in computational power have opened up new avenues for the application of artificial intelligence and data science techniques to almost every conceivable field. Artificial intelligence (AI), which in many common applications is more accurately called Machine Learning (ML), enables machines to simulate human behaviour. This can allow computers to perform tasks that were previously only possible with human analysis and, by automating them, massively increase the speed of processing and/or identify and extract otherwise unnoticeable patterns from large data sets. Indeed, it is this ability to extract useful information from the increasingly large data sets (so-called “Big Data”) created through everyday activities which underpins many of the successful applications of data science or informatics to varied technology areas.

The volume and usefulness of such data and analytics is only likely to increase as the Internet-of-Things (IoT) means that more and more devices are interconnected and exchanging information about their operation. Drafting and prosecuting patent applications in this area can be complex; many patent office’s explicitly exclude mathematical algorithms and/or mental acts from patentability and view computer implementations of such tasks as equivalent.

Similarly, many common applications of AI and data science, such as financial analysis are also excluded. However, new applications of artificial intelligence or data science approaches can be patentable in a wide range of fields, from robotics to Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. The inter-relation between the software and the field of application often requires a multi-disciplinary approach with attorneys from our Engineering and IT Group with specialist experience in artificial intelligence can computing with the additional capabilities of our Biotechnology and Life Sciences Group or Chemistry and Pharmaceuticals Group.