Clarivate Reports 85% AI Adoption Across the Intellectual-Property Ecosystem

London, U.K. — Clarivate, a global leader in intellectual-property (IP) intelligence and analytics, has revealed that 85 percent of IP professionals are now using artificial intelligence (AI) in their workflows. The findings, highlighted in Clarivate’s recent report “The Evolution of AI in IP: Adoption, Impact and Readiness”, signal a major shift in how patents, trademarks, and other intellectual-property assets are managed, highlighting a growing reliance on AI tools across the industry.

Rapid Growth in AI Adoption

Just two years ago, only slightly more than half of IP professionals reported using AI tools. Today, AI has moved beyond experimentation to become an essential part of everyday IP operations.

Clarivate’s President of Intellectual Property, Maroun S. Mourad, emphasized the benefits of responsible AI:
“When deployed meaningfully and ethically, AI can make IP professionals exponentially more productive, delivering high-quality work while managing risk.”

The report shows that AI is no longer just for automating repetitive tasks. IP professionals are increasingly relying on AI for strategic decision-making, research, and analysis. Among those surveyed:

• 37% use AI for competitive intelligence
• 36% use AI for research and discovery
• 35% use AI for analyzing patentability, freedom-to-operate, and validity

This demonstrates that AI is complementing human expertise, not replacing it. While AI can identify relevant prior art or potential conflicts, human judgment remains vital for interpreting legal and business implications.

Challenges in Trust and Governance

Despite rapid adoption, trust remains a key concern. Many attorneys and in-house legal teams reported challenges related to liability, client confidentiality, and explainability when using AI. Approximately 65% of attorneys cited these issues as obstacles to broader AI use.

Clarivate stresses that strong governance and oversight are critical for safe AI deployment. Experts note that AI tools must be monitored closely to maintain legal, ethical, and data-quality standards.

Regional and Professional Variations

Adoption rates also vary across regions and professional roles:

• R&D professionals and corporate executives tend to be more comfortable with AI.
• Law firms and in-house legal teams show greater caution.
• Asia-Pacific demonstrates the highest enthusiasm for AI.
• Europe exhibits more caution, reflecting concerns over AI’s impact on professional roles and regulatory influences such as the EU’s AI framework.

Measuring Impact and Business Value

AI adoption is no longer just about saving time. IP professionals now expect measurable outcomes, including:

• Improved accuracy
• Higher productivity
• Enhanced decision-making

Achieving these benefits requires high-quality data and AI tools designed specifically for IP work rather than general-purpose software. Clarivate’s extensive database of curated IP information provides a strong foundation for AI applications in patent searching, portfolio management, and strategic IP planning.

Looking Ahead: Responsible AI Use

While AI adoption continues to rise, the focus must remain on responsible and ethical deployment. Trust, transparency, and oversight are critical to ensure AI enhances, rather than compromises, professional judgment.

Clarivate emphasizes that AI is a tool to empower humans, not replace them. When implemented correctly, AI helps IP professionals work smarter, identify opportunities faster, and reduce risks.

As AI technology matures, the industry’s focus is shifting from adoption to optimization, ensuring that these tools support strategic decision-making while maintaining the integrity of intellectual-property processes.