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Navigating the Future: The Impact of AI on Patent Examination in India by Dr Joshita Khemani Davar

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In the Women’s IP World Annual 2025, Dr Joshita Khemani Davar, Managing Partner and Principal Attorney at Law at L.S. Davar & Co., India, explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the patent system. She examines how AI-driven drafting tools, search algorithms, and examination processes are reshaping intellectual property practice and what this evolution means for India’s patent landscape.

AI and the New Era of Patent Drafting

What once took weeks can now be done in hours. AI tools such as ClaimMaster, TurboPatent, and Specifio have transformed patent drafting by generating detailed claims and descriptions with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. These technologies reduce human error, accelerate the filing process, and democratise access to high-quality patent documentation, enabling even first-time inventors to protect their innovations more effectively.

Learning from Global Leaders

Dr Davar draws comparisons from the world’s leading patent offices:

  • USPTO (United States) uses AI for prior art searches, allowing examiners to identify relevant documents faster and with greater precision.

  • EPO (Europe) employs AI tools for document classification, improving accuracy and speeding up evaluations.

  • CNIPA (China) integrates AI into pre-examination processes, detecting deficiencies before human review to enhance efficiency.


These examples provide valuable insights for India as it explores similar integrations within its patent examination framework.

India’s Journey Towards AI Integration

India’s patent system is evolving, supported by digital initiatives such as the IP Saarthi Chatbot for trademark assistance. While still in its early stages, AI integration in India’s Patent Office could soon enhance prior art searches, streamline document management, and reduce backlogs, transforming examiner productivity and applicant experience alike.


Balancing Technology with Human Oversight

Dr Davar underscores that AI is a valuable tool, not a replacement for human judgment. Although AI can analyse massive datasets and identify patterns, final decisions must rest with human examiners who bring contextual understanding, ethical reasoning, and creativity to the process. The right balance between automation and human insight is key to maintaining integrity in patent evaluation.


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Ethical and Practical Challenges

The rise of AI in patent law raises critical questions:

  • How do we ensure AI systems remain unbiased and transparent?

  • What training will examiners need to effectively interpret AI outputs?

  • How can policy frameworks safeguard against overreliance on automation?

India’s adoption of a hybrid model where AI assists but humans decide may offer the best path forward, combining efficiency with fairness and accountability.


Conclusion

AI represents the future of patent examination, offering speed, accuracy, and insight never before possible. As India embraces digital transformation, adopting AI-driven systems with proper oversight, ethical safeguards, and examiner training will ensure that innovation is both protected and propelled.






Read the full article in Women’s IP World Annual 2025, essential reading for patent professionals, innovators, and policymakers navigating the integration of AI into intellectual property systems worldwide.


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