Tehran, March 26 (NationPress) The leader of the US Patent and Trademark Office has indicated that artificial intelligence will be a key driver in a significant transformation of the patent system. This statement came as he advocated for reforms designed to reduce delays and enhance the quality of patents.

During a testimony before a House Judiciary subcommittee on Wednesday (local time), USPTO Director John Squires shared that the agency is implementing AI tools to hasten patent examinations and address a growing backlog of applications.

“AI tools will serve as our examiners’ superpowers,” Squires informed the lawmakers, highlighting that new systems can swiftly identify prior art and assist examiners in managing increasingly intricate filings.

He noted that the office has already initiated the integration of AI throughout patent and trademark processes, utilizing tools that can generate search results in mere seconds rather than taking months.

Squires positioned this initiative as part of a comprehensive effort to modernize the agency and bolster the US innovation ecosystem. He referred to the USPTO as the “Central Bank of innovation,” emphasizing that each patent or trademark signifies “a potential job, a new business, or a competitive edge.”

The agency is also focused on significantly reducing its backlog of unexamined patent applications, which has reached unprecedented levels. Squires mentioned that proactive measures are in place to alleviate the backlog while simultaneously enhancing patent quality.

However, these reforms have faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers, with Democrats cautioning that policy changes might undermine oversight and politicize a historically independent agency.

Ranking member Hank Johnson expressed concerns that the USPTO has become “squarely” involved in partisan politics, raising issues regarding employee morale and fluctuating regulations.

“When policies change based on the political inclinations of an administration, it is American innovation that suffers,” Johnson remarked.

A major point of contention was the agency’s approach to patent challenges under the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Detractors argued that restricting repeated challenges could allow weak patents to remain valid and escalate litigation costs.

Squires defended the modifications, asserting that they aim to prevent system abuse and provide finality in disputes.

“There should come a time when there’s quiet title… and it must be resolved once and for all,” he stated.

Lawmakers also voiced worries concerning foreign influence and potential national security threats, especially regarding the involvement of foreign-backed entities in patent conflicts.

Squires indicated that the USPTO has implemented measures to tighten disclosure requirements and prevent foreign sovereign actors from participating in certain processes.

The hearing also addressed a controversial trademark application associated with a proposed “Board of Peace” initiative, with several lawmakers questioning possible conflicts of interest.

The USPTO received over 475,000 new patent applications in fiscal year 2025, indicating a consistent rise in demand for intellectual property protection.

Squires asserted that AI and IT modernization will be pivotal in managing this demand, alongside ongoing funding through user fees.