Intellectual Property and Frontier Technologies

The last two decades have seen an explosion of technologies that are transforming how we work and live in an increasingly interconnected digital world. The emergence and merging of frontier technologies is at the heart of what is sometimes termed the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0. Frontier technologies are changing how we do business, how we innovate and create and the rate of change is increasing exponentially.

Getting the innovation ecosystem ready for AI - An IP policy toolkit [PDF]

Generative AI: Navigating Intellectual Property [PDF]

WIPO IP and Frontier Technologies Factsheet [PDF]

AI Inventions Factsheet​​​​​​​ [PDF]

Metaverse Factsheet ​​​​​​​[PDF]

Frontier technologies provide opportunities for economic growth. In order to harness these opportunities for all, we need to ensure that the intellectual property (IP) system continues to foster innovation and creation and that the systems for IP administration evolve.

The field of frontier technologies is rapidly evolving and although there is no agreed definition for this concept, frontier technologies share some common features. They operate at the intersection of radical scientific developments and real-world implementation. Furthermore, they are changing the way we communicate, solve problems, provide goods and services, create and do business. Frontier technologies could be described as advanced technology that can address global issues.

Examples of frontier technologies

Frontier technologies include:​​​

  • digital technologies, such as the Internet of things (loT), blockchain, the metaverse, artificial intelligence (Al), including GenAI, big data and cloud computing
  • physical technologies, such as autonomous driving, 3D printing and hardware innovations and
  • biological technologies such as genetic engineering, human augmentation and the brain-computer-interface.

Data and intangible assets are the bedrock of our new, digitalized world. IP is rapidly gaining increasing importance over physical assets.

The IP system that we have today was developed with a focus on human creation and innovation and to encourage the development of technologies that enabled production process and trade of physical products. The IP system was also designed when the speed of innovation and creation was much slower than it is today.

One of the important tasks that we face today is to ensure that the current IP system continues to promote innovation in the age of frontier technologies.

In the new digital age, innovation and creation are happening much faster. The number of IP filings are increasing rapidly but also subject to more volatile ups and downs. Markets are globalizing and intangible assets are flowing much more freely across borders.

Frontier technologies have the potential to make IP and the IP system easier to access, more efficient and more understandable.

At WIPO, the IP and Frontier Technologies Division facilitates discussion and knowledge building among Member States and other stakeholders on the impact of frontier technologies on IP to support well-informed policy choices. The WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies is the main strand to that engagement.

The Division provides practical tools and guidance to help us all navigate IP questions in the new digital world and runs diverse projects in support of inclusive IP and innovation ecosystem.

WIPO also develops practical guidance and tools relating to frontier technologies and IP and assists in the knowledge transfer and technology adaptation of platforms and tools for IP administration that utilize frontier technologies.

The Twelfth session of the WIPO Conversation, will take place on October 28 and 29, 2025 and will explore timely discussions about IP and synthetic media.

To allow as wide participation as possible, the WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies is held in a hybrid form. Onsite presence is limited to official representatives of the WIPO Member States and Observers. Virtual participation is open to all and there are plenty of options to participate actively with questions and interventions. Let us know if you want to be involved in the discussion.

The Eleventh Session of the WIPO Conversation - Infrustructure for rights holders and innovation, was held on April 23 and 24, 2025, and discussed challenges AI poses to traditional copyright infrastructure, including issues of rights management, attribution, and compensation, and considered the potential for regulatory frameworks and new infrastructure to support fair protection for creators while fostering technological innovation.

The Road to AIII, Episode 1: Infrastructure 101

June 26, 2025

The AI Infrastructure Interchange (AIII)

AIII is a new WIPO initiative for global dialogue on copyright and artificial intelligence. AIII provides a neutral platform for creators, rights-holders, developers, and experts to exchange ideas and explore practical solutions.

To receive regular updates about our events and projects, subscribe to our newsletter.

Featured

April 30, 2024

April 16, 2024

News

Featured

The AI Infrastructure Interchange (AIII)

AIII is a new WIPO initiative for global dialogue on copyright and artificial intelligence. AIII provides a neutral platform for creators, rights-holders, developers, and experts to exchange ideas and explore practical solutions.

The WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies

The WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies provides an open, inclusive forum to engage with and facilitate discussion and knowledge building among the widest possible set of stakeholders on the impact on IP of frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).

WIPO generally holds two sessions of the Conversation each year in a format that allows the widest possible global audience to participate. Topics of the Conversation include the uses and applications of frontier technologies to assist IP Offices and IP owners as well as more conceptual policy based discussions.

Over the last 5 years, almost 14’000 people have participated in the WIPO Conversation, from 172 countries.

Past sessions of the WIPO Conversation focused on AI Infrastructure, Machine Training for AI, GenAI, the Metaverse, data and frontier technologies in IP administration

The Twelfth session, taking place on October 28–29, 2025, will focus on synthetic media and the evolving role of intellectual property in addressing the legal, IP, and creative challenges it presents.

Frontier technologies and WIPO's scope of work

These are just a few areas of WIPO’s work on IP and frontier Technologies in our expanding scope.

Artificial Intelligence

The growth of AI across a range of technical fields raises a number of policy questions with respect to IP. The main focus of those questions is whether the existing IP system needs to be modified to provide balanced protection for machine created works and inventions, AI itself and the data AI relies on to operate.

Intellectual Property and the Metaverse

The metaverse is a real opportunity to drive economic growth and bring its benefits to everyone, everywhere. With the digitalization going forward, IP will be one of the key drivers fostering innovation in technologies that will build the metaverse and in providing a basis for generating economic activity and growth.

Data

All frontier technologies are fueled by accelerating digitalization, rely on data and often generate data. Find out why this intangible asset increasingly matters and is changing how we do business, innovate and create.

Frontier Technologies in IP administration

Frontier technologies, AI, big data analytics and new technologies such as blockchain can be used to address the growing challenges facing IP offices in order to make it efficient and accessible for everyone, everywhere.

Blockchain Technology

WIPO in consultation with IP offices and other stakeholders has prepared the Blockchain white paper for IP ecosystems ​​​​​​​[PDF]. The Committee on WIPO Standards (CWS) established a Blockchain Taskforce in 2018 to explore, amongst others, the possibility of using blockchain technology for IP administration, collect information about IPO blockchain initiatives and prepare a proposal for a new WIPO standard applying blockchain technology.

Frontier technologies news

From stories, to reports, news and more, we publish content on the topics most discussed in the field of IP and frontier technologies.
Image: Courtesy of Refik Anadol Studio and Serpentine; Photography by Hugo Glendinning

‘Painting’ with data: how media artist Refik Anadol creates art using generative AI

Generative AI is set to radically reshape not just the technology sector but also the way we create and think about art. Refik Anadol is at the forefront of the revolution.
Image: Courtesy of Flexxon

Flexxon’s AI-Based Cybersecurity Solution Promises to Tackle Cybercrime

Today, cybersecurity is a key priority. Staying one-step ahead of the hackers is an increasing challenge as the global cyber threat landscape continues to rapidly evolve. ​​​​​​​
Image: Getty Images Plus / iStock / metamorworks

Digital economy: the search for new governance mechanisms

As we transition to the digital economy, and seek new approaches to digital governance, the time is ripe to re-visit the philosophical underpinnings of the modern market economy.

Related links

IP services

Knowledge

Cooperation and Policy