IP and Frontier Technologies

Exploring the opportunities and challenges of frontier technologies in an interconnected world

Frontier technologies are transforming the global economy, with advances in digital technologies, biotechnology, human augmentation, quantum computing and clean energy expected to create trillions of dollars in value. To ensure these benefits are widely shared, the intellectual property (IP) system must continue to encourage innovation and creativity, and adapt to the speed and complexity of emerging technologies. Both policy discussions and the development of tools for modern, efficient IP administration are essential to supporting innovators and creators and driving inclusive economic growth.

What are frontier technologies?

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 fontier 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.

In the new digital age, innovation and creation are happening much faster. The number of IP filings is 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. 

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, in close collaboration with the IP Futures and Knowledge Management Section, facilitates discussion and knowledge building among Member States and stakeholders on how frontier technologies interact with IP, supporting well‑informed policy choices. WIPO organizes an annual event to deep dive into one particular frontier technology and its IP touch points and implications.  

IP and Frontier Technologies

Exploring the opportunities and challenges of frontier technologies in an interconnected world 
Frontier technologies are transforming the global economy, with advances in digital technologies, biotechnology, human augmentation, quantum computing and clean energy expected to create trillions of dollars in value. To ensure these benefits are widely shared, the intellectual property (IP) system must continue to encourage innovation and creativity, and adapt to the speed and complexity of emerging technologies. Both policy discussions and the development of tools for modern, efficient IP administration are essential to supporting innovators and creators and driving inclusive economic growth.
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IMAGE:  evgeniyShkolenko/iSTock/Getty Images

IP and Quantum Computing

October 2026

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What are 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 how we create, and the rate of change is increasing exponentially. 

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 fontier 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 human-centered innovation and creativity 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, in close collaboration with the IP Futures and Knowledge Management Section, facilitates discussion and knowledge building among Member States and stakeholders on how frontier technologies interact with IP, supporting well‑informed policy choices. WIPO organizes an annual event to deep dive into one particular frontier technology and its IP touch points and implications.  

IP and frontier technologies

Explore more about IP and specific frontier technologies below. 

IP and artificial intelligence

The growth of AI across a range of technical fields raises a number of policy questions with respect to IP. These questions implicate issues ranging from patent eligibility, to ownership of AI-assisted creative output and innovations, to the scope of copyright exceptions and limitations in the context of AI training data. Discover WIPO’s work on IP and AI. 

IMAGE:  evgeniyShkolenko/iSTock/Getty Images

IP and quantum computing

Quantum computing presents a major opportunity to drive innovation and economic growth. As the technology advances, IP will play a key role in fostering innovation, protecting breakthroughs, enabling the commercialization of quantum technologies across industries, and facilitating access to this ground-breaking technology. 

IP and the metaverse

While the metaverse as a vision of a single shared virtual world has so far not materialized, many of its underlying technologies - VR, AR, spatial computing, digital twins, and immersive collaboration - remain relevant to new economic opportunities. IP is one of the key drivers fostering innovation in gaming, enterprise applications, training, and industrial simulation.

IP and blockchain

Blockchain is a technology reshaping business and creative ecosystems, making it important for the IP community to assess its implications and identify practical models for use in the IP system. The Committee on WIPO Standards  (CWS) established a Blockchain Taskforce  in 2018 to explore blockchain for IP administration, gather information on IPO initiatives, and develop a proposal for a new WIPO standard.

IP and 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. 

IP administration with frontier technologies

Frontier technologies such as AI, big data analytics, and the blockchain may be useful to address the growing challenges facing IP offices in order to make the IP system efficient and accessible for everyone, everywhere. Discover the AI-powered services and tools by WIPO. 

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Resources

WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies

Launched in 2019, the WIPO Conversation on Intellectual Property and Frontier Technologies served as the leading global forum for policymakers, industry, academia, and civil society to discuss the impact of emerging technologies on the IP system. The Conversations built on WIPO’s long-standing engagement with technology and innovation, fostering dialogue to ensure that the international IP system remains fit for the digital age. Across 6 years and 12 sessions, the WIPO Conversations have engaged nearly 17,000 participants from 172 countries. 

Going forward, IP and AI discussions will move to WIPO’s Global Forum on IP and AI, launching in November 2026. 

Frontier technologies beyond AI will remain a key focus area for WIPO, as they continue to reshape innovation, creativity, and economic activity while raising evolving questions for the IP system. As many of these technologies are developing over a longer-term horizon, the IP and Frontier Technologies Division, in collaboration with WIPO’s IP Futures and Knowledge Management Section, will organize an annual public event to examine their longer-term implications for the IP system.