A patent is a government-granted exclusive right, typically lasting 20 years, that allows the holder to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing their invention.
In 2024, Alphabet (Google’s parent company) dominated with 1,121 AI-related U.S. patent filings, while Asian companies saw a massive increase in filings.
The future of AI will be shaped by these patent filings, creating fierce competition in the tech industry.
TL;DR
- Alphabet leads with 1,121 patents, followed by Samsung with 986, and IBM with 912.
- Seven out of the top ten companies are American, accounting for a record 67% of all U.S> AI patents since 2020.
The data used in this explainer is gathered from the AI Patent 100 List by Harrity & Harrity, a leading patent preparation and prosecution firm.
Ranked: Top 50 AI Firms With Highest AI-related U.S. Patenting
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Rank | Company | US patents granted (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 1 | Alphabet Inc. | 1,121 |
| 2 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 2 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | 986 |
| 3 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 3 | International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) | 912 |
| 4 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 4 | Amazon.com, Inc. | 630 |
| 5 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 5 | Microsoft Corporation | 500 |
| 6 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 6 | Capital One Financial Corp. | 472 |
| 7 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 7 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 453 |
| 8 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 8 | General Motors Company | 352 |
| 9 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 9 | Intel Corporation | 329 |
| 10 | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | Monica Ebunoluwa | 08/04/2026 02:21 PM | 10 | Bank of America Corporation | 303 |
Google’s Alphabet Leads
Alphabet is leading the pack in AI patents, with 1,121 filings in 2024. The company has made several acquisitions that have strengthened its patent portfolio.
Additionally, Alphabet operates a diverse range of companies and “moonshot” projects beyond its core search engine business, including those in life sciences (Calico, Verily), autonomous driving, and AI.
Each of these ventures requires extensive patent protection to safeguard its specific innovations.
Samsung, with 986 filings, and IBM, with 912 filings, are right behind them, focusing on AI for semiconductors and automation.
US-Based AI Firms File the Most Patents
Judging from the top 10 companies, the United States leads in AI patents, with eight companies, including Alphabet (1,121 patents), IBM (912), Amazon (630), Microsoft (500), Capital One (472), General Motors (352), Intel (329), and Bank of America (303).
This dominance comes from substantial research budgets, elite universities, and Silicon Valley talent.
South Korea ranks second, with Samsung holding 986 patents and excelling in hardware and AI, backed by strong corporate support.
Japan follows, with Toyota’s 453 patents focused on AI in automotive and robotics.
A Harrity LLP report shows that tech giants filed 67% of AI patents in 2024, a 25% increase since 2020.
ELI5
A patent is like a “no-copy” sticker for your fabulous new idea, keeping it safe from being copied for 20 years.
Alphabet (Google) filed 1,121 AI patents, Samsung filed 986, and IBM filed 912, which is significantly more than any other AI-centric company.
They do this to protect their innovations, such as breakthrough discoveries and advanced technology, and to stay ahead in the AI game.
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