Computer scientist Stephen Thaler's request for the U.S. Supreme Court to consider his argument that AI should be listed as an inventor on patents has been denied . Thaler has been attempting to have his AI system, named DABUS, listed as an inventor on two devices — a food container and an emergency light beacon. However, courts have rejected Thaler's argument, ruling that inventors can only be human beings under the Patent Act.
- Thaler, the founder of AI company Imagination Engines, created DABUS, or Device for the Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience.
- The AI system, comprising multiple artificial neural networks, autonomously came up with the ideas for "neural flame," a beacon that flashes to attract rescuers, and "fractal container," a beverage container.
- In two patents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Thaler named the sole inventor of the items as "DABUS."
- The USPTO denied the patents as written, prompting Thaler to challenge that decision in a lawsuit.
- After a District Court judge granted summary judgment to the USPTO, Thaler appealed to the Federal Circuit, which also agreed that inventors should only be human beings.
- Thaler appealed to the Supreme Court in March. In a brief to the court, academics raised concerns about prior court decisions, warning that it could threaten billions in future investments and harm U.S. competitiveness.