Issue 8 || October 2024

It’s a final countdown! 12 weeks and 3 days left of this year! Not much, huh?

23.77%… Still enough to make a difference but in any case - no time to waste.

What do I have for you today?

1. Key insights and notes from IP events that I attended last month;

2. People and projects to watch closely;

3. Technology trends and outlook - I summarised a McKinsey report for you;

4. Some food for thought;

5. Then I share my news and plans.

6. And conclude with a book recommendation.

So let's jump right into it!

1. IP events that happened last month

HTB Forum on open innovation

On Monday, the 16th of September it was the HTB Forum on open innovation. Again filled with insights to reflect upon.

Volvo’s CampX was presented as a case study.

They have three engagement programs:

(1) Incubator with an idea to, as they say, “look around the corner and nurture new capabilities for the future”, promoting innovation culture, insights and learnings,

(2) Accelerator, established with an idea to solve Volvo Group needs with open innovation, and

(3) Venture Builder, focused on new revenue streams, internal ideas, selected strategic initiatives to validate and monetize Volvo Group IP. The overarching motto of CampX is to accelerate technology and business innovation 3x100%: 100% safe, 100% fossil-free and 100% more productive.

This structure of CampX demonstrates a comprehensive strategy for fostering innovation across different time horizons and business objectives.

As a specific example, the proof of value project of Embedl has been presented.

During the project,  Embedl Optimization toolbox (SDK) was integrated at Volvo Group. This showed how deep learning models can be deployed on the target platform. Both use cases explored reach low inference latency – ready for deployment. Further, future deep learning accelerators analyzed in written report and hardware recommendation was presented. This project has clarified important strategic open points for in-vehicle AI.

Learnings that were presented from doing Proof of value (POV) project with CampX by Volvo: 1. Great to show our tech on site; 2. Good and meaningful scope of POV; 3. Exposure to many future edge AI teams; 4. Good team spirit; 5. Volvo’s resource allocation not always prioritized.

Another project presented was Sightic Analytics - AI-based technology to detect intoxication and substance impairment through eye scanning.

The goal has been to create a safer working environment for drivers by detecting alcohol intoxication using existing in-cabin infrastructure in vehicles. The project aims to achieve key milestones to demonstrate the feasibility of creating an In-cabine intoxication detection solution.

Finally, Aiden auto - A software platform for bringing digital services to vehicles and drivers, fast.

The key takeaways I have jotted down were:

• Successful open innovation programs, like Volvo's CampX, balance short-term problem-solving with long-term capability development and new revenue stream creation.

• Hands-on collaboration between corporations and startups, as seen in the Volvo-Embedl project, can accelerate technological integration and provide mutual benefits in understanding and overcoming implementation challenges.

• Open innovation initiatives offer startups valuable exposure to various teams within large corporations, potentially opening doors for future collaborations across different departments.

• Even in well-structured innovation programs, corporations may struggle with consistent resource allocation, indicating a need for flexible project management approaches.

• The automotive industry is leveraging AI and other advanced technologies to enhance safety, as exemplified by Sightic Analytics' intoxication detection system, showing a trend towards integrating cutting-edge tech with core vehicle functions.

• Platforms like Aiden Auto demonstrate an increasing focus on rapidly deploying digital services in vehicles, suggesting a shift towards more software-centric and adaptable automotive ecosystems.

• The forum highlighted the growing importance of creating diverse innovation ecosystems that bring together corporations, startups, and potentially other stakeholders to drive industry-wide advancements.

2. People and projects to watch closely

First and this is HUGE - dIPlex is LIVE!

This is a global IP knowledge hub, offering expert answers, content, resources, and access to top professionals in IP Management. It provides the tools and expertise necessary for effective IP management, fostering innovation, protecting creative works, and driving economic growth. As one of the featured IP experts on the platform, I am very excited to see it grow further - https://profwurzer.com/diplex/author/maria-boicova-wynants/ I am convinced that dIPlex will become the main source of both trusted expertise in IP and IP management wordlwide! Huge congratulations to the team of Prof. Dr. Alexander J. Wurzer, Tobias Denk , Heike Veitengruber , Theo Grünewald and everyone else working behind the scenes to make it happen. You did (and keep on doing!) and amazing job!

People to follow

• If you don’t yet - follow Paolo Beconcini and his Newsletter on China, where he shares stories of different things that happen in the IP realm there. Some of the items are really China-specific, but certain stories and conclusions are equally relevant for any company - like this one for example - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/game-spies-paolo-beconcini-iy5vc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via A must read!

• Anita Yaryna weekly shares AI related news in her newsletter, which I encourage everyone to sign up for. She has also recently shared a post with 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐏𝐀. This is an important guide to be aware of. As AI systems increasingly intersect also with daily operations, understanding how they align with GDPR is super important for businesses to remain compliant while at the same time leveraging technology. Guides like these usually offer condensed and very practical insights that help figure out this complex regulatory landscape, especially since AI and data protection more and more converge. You can read her full post with key points following the below link, as well as read the original document she has attached: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/anitayaryna_artificial-intelligence-systems-and-the-gdpr-activity-7244216530610065408-XpmE?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

3. Technology trends outlook

Last month, I have read a curious report by McKinsey on Technology Trends Outlook 2024. It explores 15 technology trends that are already shaping the world today and will continue doing so in the future.

The latest McKinsey report on technology trends offers a comprehensive overview of the current technological landscape, highlighting the resilience of innovation despite challenging market conditions in 2023. This analysis provides valuable insights into the evolving tech ecosystem, with a particular focus on frontier technologies that are shaping the future of enterprise adoption.

The report identifies two standout trends for 2023: generative AI (gen AI) and electrification with renewables. Gen AI, in particular, has experienced an unprecedented surge in interest, with a remarkable increase in Google searches, job postings, and investments. This exponential growth underscores the technology's potential to revolutionize various sectors and drive interconnected advancements in fields such as robotics and immersive reality.

McKinsey's analysis extends beyond these headline trends, exploring a group of technologies collectively termed the "AI revolution." This category encompasses generative AI, applied AI, and the industrialization of machine learning, all of which have seen accelerated innovation in recent times. The report also sheds light on emerging technologies at earlier stages of development, such as quantum computing and advanced robotics. These cutting-edge innovations, along with industry-specific technologies like bioengineering and space exploration, are positioned at the forefront of technological progress. However, their widespread adoption faces challenges including high costs, specialized applications, and the strategic decisions companies must make in allocating resources across a broad spectrum of technologies.

To provide a nuanced understanding of each trend, McKinsey has developed a scoring system based on innovation metrics (derived from patent filings and research activities) and interest levels (gauged through news coverage and web search data). This methodology offers readers a quantitative framework to assess the current state and potential trajectory of various technological trends.

So what are the trends they discuss in the report?

1. At the forefront is Generative AI, a revolutionary force that's expanding beyond text to encompass multimodal capabilities. As organizations scale their AI operations, they grapple with critical questions of cybersecurity, ethics, and environmental impact. Will the benefits of this technology outweigh the risks and challenges it presents?

2. Applied AI continues to make waves across sectors, with data-centric approaches and hardware acceleration driving innovation. The synergy between generative and applied AI opens new doors, but also raises concerns about privacy and operational risks.

3. The industrialization of machine learning, or MLOps, is becoming crucial for enterprises looking to scale their AI applications. This trend underscores the growing importance of monitoring, orchestration, and prebuilt solutions in the AI ecosystem.

4. Next-generation software development is being transformed by AI-powered tools and cloud-native architectures. As AI begins to generate code, we must ask: How will we address the intellectual property and legal liability issues surrounding AI-generated software?

5. In the realm of digital trust and cybersecurity, the focus has shifted to managing generative AI risks and readiness. The emergence of new buyers outside the traditional CISO role and the growing adoption of blockchain technologies are reshaping this landscape.

6. Advanced connectivity technologies promise to revolutionize industries, with private networks gaining traction and 6G on the horizon. But questions linger about the value proposition and monetization strategies for these next-generation networks.

7. Immersive reality technologies are poised to reshape both consumer experiences and enterprise applications. From digital twins in industrial sectors to augmented reality in retail, these technologies are blurring the lines between physical and digital worlds.

8. Cloud and edge computing continue to evolve, with enterprises seeking to optimize their infrastructure for AI workloads. As the demand for GPUs skyrockets, major players are developing proprietary AI chips. But how will organizations overcome the scaling hurdles and talent shortages in this rapidly changing landscape?

9. Quantum technologies are progressing from research to real-world applications, with significant strides in error correction and full-stack development. As quantum computing intersects with AI, what groundbreaking applications might emerge?

10. Advanced robotics is automating an ever-expanding range of physical tasks. As these systems become more sophisticated, we must consider: How will the integration of robots reshape the workforce of the future?

11. The future of mobility is being driven by autonomous and electric vehicles, urban air mobility, and smart transportation technologies. But challenges remain in building the necessary infrastructure and supply chains. What regulatory changes will be needed to enable widespread adoption of these transformative technologies?

12. Bioengineering is pushing the boundaries of healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability. With the potential for trillions in economic impact, it also raises profound ethical questions. How will society determine the appropriate extent of genome editing?

13. Space technologies are becoming increasingly viable and relevant, thanks to rapidly decreasing costs. As the industry's revenues potentially soar to $750 billion by 2035, how will we define ownership and access rights in space?

14. Electrification and renewable energy technologies are crucial for achieving global climate goals, but significant investment gaps remain. How will regions and organizations leverage the advantages of an electrified world while ensuring a just transition?

15. Finally, climate technologies beyond electrification are gaining traction, with growing interest in carbon capture and sustainable agriculture. As we race to create a gigaton-scale carbon management industry, how will we overcome potential bottlenecks in resources and infrastructure?

These 15 trends paint a picture of a world on the cusp of transformative change. As we navigate this complex landscape, the questions raised by each trend remind us that technology's impact extends far beyond innovation—it shapes our economy, our society, and our very future. The challenge now is not just to develop these technologies, but to do so in a way that maximizes their benefits while mitigating their risks.

As these trends converge and accelerate, they obviously also present a complex landscape for intellectual property rights and management. The rapid pace of innovation, particularly in areas like AI, quantum computing, and bioengineering, is outpacing traditional IP frameworks. This raises a critical question:

How will our global IP systems evolve to balance innovation incentives with public access to transformative technologies?

Moreover, as AI increasingly contributes to inventions and creative works, we must grapple with fundamental questions about the nature of inventorship and authorship.

Will we need to redefine these concepts to accommodate non-human contributors?

The answers to these questions will not only shape the future of innovation but also determine how equitably the benefits of these groundbreaking technologies are distributed across society.

4. Food for thought

In fact, the previous chapter has already provided quite some food for thought, but here is some more:

Lewis O'Brien recently posted a curious observation about the unintended consequences of focusing too heavily on metrics. He illustrated this concept using an intriguing analogy involving tennis balls. O'Brien points out that when we elevate a measurement to the status of a goal, it often loses its effectiveness as a reliable indicator. For example, if a company's sole aim is to maximize the number of balls packed into each container for increased profits, they might compromise the product's quality and utility. But would you prefer to purchase three normal tennis balls or six deformed, unusable ones? The answer is self-evident.

The point is that: an excessive focus on a single metric can lead to the deterioration of other important aspects.

The Goodhart's Law -

“when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure”.

Now the question to ponder about is:

are we focusing on the right measures?

• Finally, I want to share this post of Cassie Kozyrkov - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mariaboicovawynants_strawberry-ai-decisionmakers-activity-7244692920002310144-uiUr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Read it!

Or at least attentively read this quote from it:

"The real work is not in getting the answer but in framing the problem, in knowing which questions to ask, and in critically evaluating the outputs. <...> If a decision-maker's mental tools are blunt, better tech won't fix the problem. <…> Thinking is <…> your responsibility."

She was talking about the Strawberry (the new model of OpenAI), but I would say - the conclusion holds more generally -

“The real work is not in getting the answer but in framing the problem, in knowing which questions to ask, and in critically evaluating the outputs.”

I am absolutely convinced that framing the problem and knowing which questions to ask are the most critical decision-making skills for anyone in any industry and role.

5. My news

• Remember, that a while ago - in Join me for a sIP Issue 4 (June) - I announced my upcoming lecture on Trademarks in Digital world? That lecture was sadly cancelled but I believe that the topic warrants attention. So I have shortened my planned lecture and recorded it for my YouTube channel anyway.

The digital revolution is reshaping how we protect and leverage trademarks. From the metaverse to NFTs, the rules are changing rapidly:

↪ Even if you're not in tech, your trademarks could be at risk in digital spaces

↪ Virtual goods are becoming as valuable as physical ones

↪ Traditional enforcement strategies may fall short in the metaverse

Here is the article I published on LinkedIn with some key insights and the link to the form where you can get the FREE access to my lecture - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mariaboicovawynants_trademarks-digitalbranding-metaverse-activity-7244971925150531584-pA_E?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

• As to the posting, this week I was experimenting with the storytelling format - those of you who follow me daily, know that I have told a story of Jane - “a highly skilled freelance designer known for her creative flair and eye for detail” - and her IP-related troubles and how she overcame them with a solid contract well-crafted in advance (by yours truly, by the way).

If you missed the story and are curious to know what it was all about - here is the Friday summary post with all the links - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mariaboicovawynants_freelancesuccess-creativeownership-weeklyrecap-activity-7247836594991239168-Vgg9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

There is another story coming the week after. Don’t miss it!

• What else?

Ah! I had a slight delay with my e-books (‘cos I got pulled into another exciting project that you will know about soon), but the e-book for Online retailers - E-commerce Empowered: Leveraging Intellectual Property for Online Retailers - will be out somewhat in the upcoming two weeks.

The last one of the “Mastering intellectual property” series - for App developers is most likely coming out only in first half of November.

Book recommendation

And finally, if you are searching for a book to read in the last months of the year - get this one - "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy. It is soooooo in line with what I am always saying: consistency, conscious habits, radical accountability for everything, persistence,... All this adds up to the outcome.

Yes, not on day 1.

Maybe not even on day 100.

But the moment will come. Inevitably.

Here is a teaser summary from https://readingraphics.com/book-summary-the-compound-effect/

And... that’s all, folks! See you next month for more!

Have a lovely October!

Sincerely yours,

Maria