AI Innovation at US Patent & Trademark Office, America’s Innovation Agency

- About this Session
- Session Resources
Special Featured Guest: Jerry Ma, Director of Emerging Technology at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
This month’s virtual presenter is Jerry Ma, Director of Emerging Technology at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)! The USPTO is unique among federal agencies in its multifaceted involvement with the AI ecosystem. Consistent with its constitutional and statutory role, the Office fosters innovation in AI by the provision of strong intellectual property (IP) grants and the promulgation of sound IP policy. The Office also looks toward AI to improve operational efficiency and empower our highly-skilled Examining Corps. Finally, the Office contributes back to the AI community as one of the leading Open Data agencies, with hundreds of terabytes of scientific and technical data made freely available to researchers and technologists.
In this presentation, Jerry will survey recent AI developments at the Office, including patent classification, prior art search, image analysis, and the use of Office data in state-of-the-art AI research. Jerry will also touch on the promising future of AI at the agency and in the IP world at large.
Agenda:
- 11:30-12:30pm: Featured Presentation
- 12:30-1:00pm: Your Q&A and interaction
About AI in Government:
AI in Government is where those working in and with the government get together to network, discuss, and interact on topics relating to AI, machine learning, and cognitive technologies. Join us at this monthly event for high-quality content with compelling & informative speakers and opportunities to network and connect with fellow like-minded individuals.
To learn more about AI in Government and see a list of upcoming events check out our website: https://www.aiingovernment.com. This event is free for all. If you’re interested in helping financially support this event please email us at info@aiingovernment.com.
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Q: How does USPTO look to use AI & Intelligent automation to increase efficiencies with Contact Centers at USPTO?
[Jerry Ma] We are evaluating opportunities to deploy AI in various inventor/applicant-facing capacities at the USPTO. We view any such technology as complementing---not supplanting---our excellent live resources such as the Contact Center and Inventors Assistance Center.
Q: Are these collaborations [between USPTO and industry or USPTO and other agencies or internal USPTO activities] open to the public?
[Jerry Ma] Details about many such engagements can be found on the USPTO AI Portal.
Q: Are you exclusively using cloud for data storage, or are you evaluating on premise options?
[Jerry Ma] Today we have a mix of both on-premise and cloud storage solutions. We do not have a hard-and-fast ruleset for data tenancy---we position each dataset in the most appropriate location, taking into account cost, throughput, internal/external clients, security needs, and other factors.
Q: AI Bias and Ethics have been getting considerable attention. What is USPTO's view on dealing with AI Bias?
[Jerry Ma] We assess the trustworthiness of our models on a regular basis, including on the axis of bias. One of our best defenses against biased or untrustworthy models is early exposure to a diverse set of users---as mentioned in the presentation, we involve our examining professionals from around the Office in every single examiner-facing AI project, thereby helping ensure that we build tools that address the needs across different technical fields, different seniorities, and different examiner backgrounds.
Featured Presenters
Supported By

Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform, offering over 175 fully featured services from datacenters globally. Millions of customers are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster.

ATARC
The Advanced Technology Academic Research Center (ATARC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a collaborative forum for government, academia and industry to resolve emerging

Blue Prism
As the leading provider of Intelligent Automation, Blue Prism Government Solutions (BPGS) helps the intelligence community accelerate their data centric mission

Carahsoft
Carahsoft is a trusted Government IT Solutions Provider working with reseller partners, system integrators, and manufacturers to proving leading IT solutions to government markets.

Coursera
Coursera helps governments advance mission delivery with strategic, job-based learning programs that develop mastery in critical digital skills. Governments using Coursera have access to more than 4,200 courses from over 200 renowned university and industry educators including Google, IBM, Yale University, and the University of Michigan in cutting-edge skills like big data, AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity as well as soft skills like leadership and communication.

Figure Eight Federal
Figure Eight Federal is critical in the creation of the highest quality Decision-Grade AI for leaders engaged in advancing America’s security and competitive position.

InterImage
InterImage delivers creative IT modernization solutions for Department of Defense (DoD), Law Enforcement, and Transportation customers, other federal civilian agencies and commercial companies. By blending disciplined thinking, decades of domain expertise and experience, and technical acumen, we provide secure, flexible, and cost-effective solutions that help our customers efficiently meet mission requirements.

Maverick Quantum Inc (mavQ)
Maverick Quantum Inc (mavQ) is a low code & artificial intelligence platform that enables organizations with digital transformation while creating valuable insights and outcomes.

MFGS, Inc.
MFGS, Inc. is the exclusive master supplier for Micro Focus U.S. Government Solutions. At MFGS, Inc., we are committed to serving your agency or organization

Microsoft
Microsoft allows you to improve your agency’s collaboration, transparency, and sustainability by using more secure and compliant tools.

Perkins Coie
Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers in offices across the United States and Asia, known for providing high value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success.

Quantiphi
Quantiphi is an award-winning applied AI and data science software and services company driven by the desire to solve transformational problems at the heart of business.