October 23, 2025, 13:40 Economic Daily News
[Taipei, Reporter Chiang Jui-Chih]
AI technology is transforming the world, with machine learning and computer vision emerging as hotspots for AI patent applications across countries. On the 23rd, Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) pointed out that compared to 2014, the number of AI patent applications in Taiwan had grown nearly ninefold by 2021. The main contributors to AI technology in Taiwan are five companies or organizations: Foxconn, ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute), Chunghwa Telecom, III (Institute for Information Industry), and Inventec.
A report released in June 2025 by Japan, titled “Survey on Application Trends of AI-Related Inventions,” outlines the global competitive landscape in AI patent technology. According to TIPO, while China far surpasses other countries in the total number of AI patent applications, the United States maintains a leading position in core AI patents—such as image processing, natural language processing, and large language models (LLMs)—thanks to significant R&D investments and financial support. However, the growth rate in the U.S. has slowed since 2020.
The report also notes that some companies may be adopting a “closed strategy,” protecting their technological advantages as trade secrets. In South Korea, AI patent applications have grown steadily, focusing on smart home appliances, medical imaging, and retail applications. In Japan, AI patent applications have seen a slow decline in recent years, with an emphasis on medical diagnostics and medical imaging.
TIPO further explained that global trends show a significant increase in AI patent applications over the past decade, surpassing 30,000 cases in 2020. In terms of specific technologies, machine learning and computer vision are the main areas of focus for AI patent applications worldwide. In Taiwan, the trend mirrors the global pattern, with a sharp increase in applications since 2017. By 2021, the number of applications had grown nearly ninefold compared to 2014, with machine learning and computer vision accounting for the largest share.
TIPO added that Taiwan ranks 9th globally in the total number of AI patent applications, and ranks 8th and 9th in machine learning and computer vision, respectively. This demonstrates Taiwan’s significance in the global AI patent landscape. With the number of AI patent applications in Taiwan continuing to rise in recent years, Taiwan’s position in AI patent deployment is expected to become increasingly important.
In Taiwan, the main contributors to AI technology are Foxconn, ITRI, Chunghwa Telecom, III, and Inventec, ranking 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 9th, respectively. This shows that Taiwanese companies and research institutions are highly invested and engaged in AI patent technology, providing strong momentum for the continued advancement of Taiwan’s industries.
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