Percentage of AI-Related and Green-Related Canadian Patents Compared to All Canadian Patents

Percentage of AI-Related and Green-Related Canadian Patents Compared to All Canadian Patents

Annual Percentage of all 15 OECD Countries’ AI and Green Patents Compared to All Patents

This PowerBI dashboard presents a comparative analysis of AI-related patents and green technology patents as a percentage of all patents across 15 OECD countries, including Canada. It highlights the changing emphasis on innovation in these two high-impact technological domains, offering insights into how the global innovation landscape is evolving to address key challenges in digital transformation and climate change mitigation.

The dashboard displays:

  1. AI Patents (%): The percentage of patents focused on artificial intelligence technologies relative to total patent filings.

  2. Green Patents (%): The percentage of patents centered on environmentally sustainable technologies relative to total patent filings.

By examining these trends, the dashboard reveals shifts in priorities between AI and green technologies, reflecting global strategic focus areas for economic growth, environmental resilience, and digital transformation.

Source of data used in this Dashboard: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

1. General Observations

  • The percentage of AI-related patents has grown exponentially since the late 2010s, surpassing green technology patents across both assignees and inventors.

  • Green patents show a steady but slower rate of growth, suggesting a more established field with incremental advancements rather than disruptive innovation.

2. AI Patents

  • The steep increase in the percentage of AI patents after 2018 signals the growing dominance of artificial intelligence as a transformative technology.

  • This surge correlates with global advances in machine learning, data analytics, and automation, driven by corporate and academic investments in foundational and applied AI research.

  • Assignees show a higher percentage of AI patents compared to inventors, highlighting the significant role of corporations in scaling AI innovations for commercial applications.

3. Green Patents

  • The relatively stable growth of green technology patents indicates a mature field where innovation is driven by incremental improvements rather than rapid breakthroughs.

  • Green technologies remain critical for addressing climate challenges, particularly in energy, transportation, and waste management sectors.

  • The consistent contributions by inventors suggest continued interest from academic and grassroots innovators in sustainable technologies.

4. Shifts in Priorities

  • The crossover point where AI patents surpassed green patents reflects a strategic pivot toward AI technologies globally. This trend highlights the increasing recognition of AI’s role in driving productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness.

  • While AI patents are growing at a faster rate, the stable trajectory of green patents underscores the enduring importance of sustainable innovation in addressing long-term environmental goals.