European Patent Office expands AI use in patent examination
Human-centric AI remains central as the EPO develops AI-assisted patent drafting and search systems to support quality and harmonisation.
The European Patent Office (EPO) has presented new AI-related initiatives aimed at supporting quality and efficiency within the European patent system during the latest meeting of the SACEPO Working Party on Quality.
The online gathering brought together 71 representatives from around the world to discuss examination standards, AI integration and long-term improvements to patent procedures. EPO President António Campinos described quality as a central element of the European patent system during the meeting.
The EPO also provided updates on its Quality Action Plan 2026, including examiner training, access to prior-art information, and examination harmonisation efforts. Officials also discussed insights drawn from quality audits and decisions issued by the Boards of Appeal.
Participants discussed the increasing use of AI-supported tools within the patent-granting process. According to the EPO, AI systems are being developed to assist with tasks including pre-search procedures, drafting support, legal queries, and preparation of oral proceedings documentation.
Participants also highlighted the importance of confidentiality, accountability, and human oversight in AI-supported systems.
The EPO stated that final patent examination decisions remain under human responsibility in line with its human-centric AI policy. The meeting additionally examined broader adoption of AI tools across patent and legal sector workflows, quality assurance and secure handling of sensitive intellectual property information.
Why does it matter?
The integration of AI into patent examination highlights how intellectual property systems are adapting to growing technological complexity and increasing volumes of patent applications worldwide. Faster and more consistent examination processes could strengthen innovation ecosystems across Europe, particularly in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology and digital industries.
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