Why IP infrastructure matters now
Intellectual property (IP) infrastructure includes mechanisms such as metadata, digital identifiers, authentication tools, watermarking, rights management systems, content recognition tools, and digital distribution frameworks. These systems often operate in the background, but they play a critical role in helping creators and rights holders be identified, credited, and supported in digital markets.
As artificial intelligence (AI) systems are used across industries and borders, intellectual property infrastructure is facing new demands. Tools and systems originally developed for the digital environment must now respond to the scale, speed, and cross-sector nature of AI technologies.
What AIII explores
AIII focuses on technical and operational questions that affect how infrastructure works in practice. The topics addressed by AIII will be set by the Technical Exchange Network (TEN) and guided by input from Member States and other stakeholders. Although AIII does not set policy or legal standards, the work of the AIII will ultimately allow WIPO’s Member States to make more informed policy decisions based on technical and practical reality.
AIII key features
Neutral forum
For creators, rights holders, innovators, AI developers, and other experts to exchange ideas and explore practical solutions.
Focus on technical system and tools
To effectively support creators, rights holders and innovators while also promoting the development of AI technology in a rapidly evolving environment.
Not policy or legal
Will not set policy or legal standards. Member states can refer to the various standing committees and the Global Forum on IP and AI for legal and policy discussions.
Get involved at the inaugural AIII Annual Meeting
The AIII Annual Meeting is a one-day public event where Member States and stakeholders can stay informed about the initiative’s progress and contribute to the discussion. Updates on the work of the Technical Exchange Network (TEN) will be presented at the event.
Save the date
November 11, 2026
Location: Geneva and online (hybrid)
Join the Technical Exchange Network
The Technical Exchange Network (TEN), a global collection of technical experts from across sectors — including technology companies, AI developers, rights holders, creators, academia, and civil society that is undertaking the detailed, expert-level discussions of the AIII. Leveraging this first-of-its-kind assembly of expertise, the TEN is examining practical IP infrastructure challenges and opportunities in the age of AI.
The TEN aims to:
- Prioritize identification of potential technical solutions to challenges and opportunities arising for the intellectual property system from the development and deployment of generative AI;
- Share and disseminate state-of-the-art approaches, methodologies and practices, including via the compilation of a repository of papers and other reports on technical elements of AI and IP infrastructure;
- Facilitate mutual learning and peer support among technical experts;
- Develop a common lexicon of relevant terminology to provide consistency across discussions;
- Foster cross-sectoral, inter-industry, and international cooperation on key technical challenges and opportunities at the intersection of AI and intellectual property.
- The work of the TEN proceeds through a series of members-only meetings to account for the need to provide a trusted, constructive environment.
- The Secretariat acts as a convenor and facilitator of the TEN. The technical experts guide the direction of their work, with opportunities for input by Member States.
- Please note that the working language of the TEN is English.
The TEN may cover a wide range of relevant topics, including for example:
- identification and labeling of AI-generated works and other material
- authenticity and provenance of original content
- the use of AI tools to assist in IP enforcement efforts
- the use of AI tools to assist in creating new works.
An initial range of potential topics will be identified during a mapping exercise undertaken by the Network to identify both:
-
existing infrastructure tools, systems and processes that have been or are being developed across the full spectrum of creative industries
-
a detailed listing of the challenges and opportunities for creative industries raised by AI development and deployment, to identify those areas that may allow for non-policy-based, technical discussions.
IMAGE: WIPO/Berrod
Additional TEN resources
The Road to AIII – A video podcast series about IP infrastructure in the age of AI
This series of video podcasts takes a closer look at intellectual property infrastructure — what it is, how it works, and how it is impacted by AI. You can watch all episodes of the series on-demand.
AIII launch event
More than 1,700 participants – including government Ministers, industry leaders in the field of AI and IP as well as other stakeholders – registered to join the launch event on March 17, 2026 held at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Conversations with creators, rights-holders, developers and technical experts revolved around issues like facilitating access to data at scale, identification and attribution standards, watermarking, fingerprinting, rights management and even the use of AI to address IP enforcement and infrastructure.
Catch up with the event by watching the video on demand and exploring the launch materials.