The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently granted Accenture Federal Services a $75 million contract to scale the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and modernize the patent examination process. 

A crucial element of the examination process is conducting a thorough prior art search. Due to the rapid expansion of prior art and the swift pace of recent technological advancements, it has become increasingly difficult for agency examiners to efficiently and swiftly identify relevant prior art.

The AI tool developed by Accenture will help enhance the overall quality and efficiency of the whole process.

The five-year contract will focus on enhancing the IP system, optimizing operations, and creating a roadmap for future modernization, including scaling up to an AI-driven production environment.

“Accenture Federal Services’ collaborative approach with the USPTO over the past four years has successfully supported new ways of working and helped the agency develop and deploy new AI capabilities in patent examination that are purpose-built for mission success and to deliver business value,” Rasha Nahas, Managing Director in Accenture Federal Services and Department of Commerce Client Account Lead, said in a statement.