AUTM on the Air

Did you know that the restaurant and construction industries have among the highest suicide rates in the country? That's where Wichita State University's Suspenders4Hope initiative comes in, combining ingenuity and compassion to address mental health issues head-on. This breakthrough endeavor began as a campus-based campaign for suicide prevention and mental wellness training and has since spread to companies across the country.

We’re joined by three incredible guests who helped make it happen. Rob Gerlach, Wichita State’s Associate Vice President of Tech Commercialization, shares how tech transfer played a key role in scaling this initiative. Zeeshan Khan, Program Manager for Tech Transfer, discusses the challenges of working in a human-centered, non-traditional tech transfer space.  Dr. Jessica Provines, the program’s creator and Chief Psychologist at WSU, opens up about her personal journey and the program’s mission to foster hope and reduce deaths of despair.

In this episode, we explore the innovative strategies behind Suspenders4Hope, including non-exclusive licensing and industry collaborations. We also examine how this program is making a significant difference, from providing individuals with mental health tools to altering businesses and communities. Stay tuned for an exciting discussion about how technology transfer can be a force for good.

In This Episode:

[02:26] This is an important conversation and a fascinating story.

[02:41] Jessica shares how Suspenders4Hope came about. She went through her own experience with depression. Her own experience through suicide loss made this cause near and dear to her heart.

[03:15] They got a Federal Suicide Prevention Grant to work on this issue.

[04:12] After creating a successful program on the campus, they decided to help more people. She was grateful that she was able to be guided by a Tech Transfer office.

[05:05] WSU is a leader in innovation and Technology Transfer.

[06:10] Rob talks about what it was like when this product first came to their Tech Transfer office. It didn't fit the typical mold. Jessica and her team were committed to moving the initiative forward.

[07:35] The purpose of moving the product out to the world was still in the same vein as a transfer project.

[08:12] Zeeshan talks about what made Suspenders4Hope stand out. 

[08:58] There was a need for the team to understand and promote the product as ambassadors.

[10:02] Benefits of using non-exclusive licensing for mental health training.

[11:28] The Tech Transfer office and their expertise to help figure out how to scale.

[14:58] Zeeshan talks about the construction and hospitality industry adopting the program. Partnerships in the sectors are crucial.

People resonate with the program as a lifeline.

[17:32] Jessica talks about the core elements of the training and what makes it so impactful. They are focused on creating a movement.

[22:05] Branding and meeting the program where it's at.

[24:43] They've had very positive responses from the industries adopting the program.

[28:38] Jessica's dream is for the long-term impact of the program to help transform lives.

[31:16] The number one lesson is to always remember to think outside of the box.

[34:24] Think about how you're fulfilling needs when trying to get involved with social impact initiatives.

[37:39] According to Jessica, it comes down to relationships and being able to show love and compassion for people.

[39:24] There are broader uses of Technology Transfer than just finding patents. It's about transferring technology into the hands of people who can make the biggest impact.

[42:28] Advice for pursuing socially impactful projects.

Resources: 

Suspenders4Hope

Rob Gerlack Wichita State University

Rob Gerlach LinkedIn

Zeeshan Khan Wichita State University

Zeeshan Khan LinkedIn

Dr. Jessica Provines Wichita State University 

Dr. Jessica Provines LinkedIn

Are we ready for the ethical challenges AI brings to Tech Transfer? Today’s episode dives into artificial intelligence's rapidly evolving role in tech transfer, examining the frameworks that help us navigate its legal, societal, and ethical complexities. Our guest, Charles Halloran, brings deep expertise in technology licensing and intellectual property, with a career that spans some of the most significant patent and trademark cases. His perspective on managing AI responsibly is invaluable for anyone looking to understand the delicate balance between innovation and integrity.

We’re exploring questions around the ethical use of AI, particularly in the unique environment of Tech Transfer offices at universities. Charles shares insights on how data should be curated and protected, ways universities can create their own safe AI systems, and the protocols necessary to avoid pitfalls in data-sharing. The discussion touches on real-world issues like inventorship, confidentiality, and open-source licensing, offering actionable steps for institutions striving to build trust while leveraging AI's capabilities.

Listeners will come away with practical guidance on fostering responsible AI use, from addressing bias in training data to implementing clear data-management policies. Charles emphasizes that adopting a strong ethical foundation isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for sustainable innovation. This conversation is packed with insights and strategies for navigating the AI-driven future of Tech Transfer with transparency and care.

In This Episode:

[02:02] Tech Transfer is a bridge that brings innovation to the public. Data used to train AI needs to be well-curated and ethically sourced.

[04:01] Legal and ethics challenges TTOs face in maintaining standards, especially when it comes to protecting proprietary information.

[05:05] Charles talks about data privacy and hosting your own AI infrastructure. We've come to understand what reasonable protections need to be in place for previous technologies.

[06:27] AI challenges include helping people understand what's working and what's happening to the data.

[07:37] Universities have put policies in place that restrict the use of LLMs that aren't the licensed commercial choice of the university.

[08:39] Charles talks about protocols and best practices for ensuring that TTOs maintain proper disclosure and human oversight over AI generated work.

[10:25] Ethical responsibilities regarding AI assisted inventorship. Tech Transfer offices need to ask how AI was used if it was used at all.

[13:08] Balancing Innovation with ethical safeguards. Charles talks about the 13 Principles for Using AI Responsibly in Harvard Business Review.

[13:57] Effectiveness and safety are primary concerns in the White House Bill of AI Rights. 

[15:03] Find an AI Bill of Rights that works with your institutional culture.

[16:28] Many TTOs make these frameworks available on a website. Also build it into your education process and outreach to researchers.

[17:58] Charles has a strong background in open-source licensing.

[18:09] How principles from open source can inform responsible AI practices.

[21:18] Charles shares an example where lack of attention to responsible AI policies led to a speed bump in commercializing a product.

[23:07] Being casual about the data that you're using at the development stage leads to roadblocks or problems at the commercialization stage.

[26:18] Charles talks about issues with licensing and shared data between different hospitals or universities.

[27:56] We talk about the risks of social biases when using AI. The first place to begin is recognizing that bias is an issue.

[30:59] We are developing better tools and awareness to help counteract bias.

[32:02] What tech transfer offices can do to help broaden the use of underrepresented groups. Using AI tools to alleviate bias.

[35:05] Should TTOs take a leading role in setting ethical standards for AI use especially when it comes to managing bias in societal impact?

[37:32] It's likely ethical considerations in AI will evolve very quickly.

[41:34] How to start building a foundation for ethical AI use. Charles recommends choosing a framework. Use transparency and create trust. 

Resources: 

Charles Halloran - KPPB

Charles Halloran LinkedIn

Harvard Business Review's 13 Principles for Using AI Responsibly

Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights

What if artificial intelligence could do more than just automate tasks? What if it could open doors to partnerships and markets we have never considered? In today’s episode, we’re exploring how AI is reshaping outbound marketing strategies in Technology Transfer, turning complex innovations into viable, real-world solutions. 

This isn’t just about tech—it’s about discovering new ways to connect groundbreaking ideas with the industries and people who can bring them to life. To guide us on this journey, we’re joined by Andrew Rankin, the Intellectual Asset Marketing Lead at Idaho National Laboratory. 

Andrew has spent the last five years pioneering how AI-driven tools can enhance outreach, especially in the complex world of Tech Transfer. With an MBA from Idaho State and an Early Career Professional of the Year award under his belt, he’s developed approaches that make his team’s work both smarter and faster. He’ll share insights into his own process, including how tools like FirstIgnite help him identify key contacts, craft strategic messages, and even reveal cross-sector applications that might otherwise go unnoticed.

AI isn’t a magic fix. He’s faced his share of challenges—from compliance issues to building secure, reliable systems—and learned how to start small, test, and adapt. So, if you’re curious about how AI could be a game-changer in Tech Transfer or are looking for practical advice on where to start, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode:

[00:44] How AI is reshaping outbound marketing strategies in the Tech Transfer sector.

[01:41] Outbound marketing and the Tech Transfer world. Outbound marketing involves actively reaching out to potential licensees.

[02:38] Andrew's main focus is on email outreach.

[03:14] Outbound also offers a more focused approach.

[04:21] Andrew began 5 years ago fresh out of college, and he pioneered the process.

[04:43] FirstIgnite software has been instrumental in his process.

[06:24] How AI is helping in the Tech Transfer industry. With AI, we can do more with less.

[08:42] AI doesn't replace humans. It helps us scale what we're already doing.

[09:17] Andrew walks us through a typical AI driven marketing initiative.

[10:16] It starts with an AI tool that creates a one-pager. FirstIgnite identifies the companies to reach out to. He then finds the person to contact and drafts through an email composer tool.

[12:24] He only uses information that is publicly available.

[14:22] AI can identify non-obvious industry applications, potential cross-sector uses, or even companies that weren't even on the radar at all.

[15:07] He developed a custom GPT, but they're currently working on a more secure tool.

[17:16] His process has allowed him to contact 940% more people than he could previously.

[18:34] Common obstacles and challenges a Tech Transfer office may face when implementing AI solutions, including compliance issues.

[22:09] Addressing data privacy and compliance.

[24:08] Regulatory compliance is also a focus.

[26:46] Start small and practice to get the hang of using AI as you progress.

[28:11] Andrew shares a success story. He reached out to Open AI, and they are discussing a larger research partnership.

Resources: 

Andrew Rankin Idaho National Laboratory

Andrew Rankin LinkedIn

FirstIgnite

For decades, rural areas have faced a steady decline—losing economic opportunities, grappling with the "brain drain" as creatives and young people migrate to urban centers, and watching local industries falter. But what if university Tech Transfer offices (TTOs) could reverse this trend and be the spark for rural revitalization? Today’s episode explores this potential with Dr. Richard Cahoon, an expert in the field who has over 30 years of experience in invention, intellectual property (IP) management, technology commercialization, and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Richard Cahoon, an Adjunct Professor in Global Development and former Director of Cornell’s Tech Transfer office, has worked extensively with universities, government agencies, and companies across more than 25 countries. In addition to advising on R&D partnerships, IP management, and venture creation, Richard is a seasoned innovator who holds several U.S. patents. 

His vision? To align TTOs with Cooperative Extension offices and bring technology and entrepreneurship into rural communities to foster local talent, create sustainable businesses, and ultimately reshape these areas’ futures. Join us for this insightful conversation as Richard shares his strategies, lessons learned, and the transformative potential of connecting university resources with rural America.

In This Episode:

[02:04] Rural America has faced economic decline for decades, and traditionally, university tech transfer offices have focused more on urban or research-intensive areas.

[03:02] When Dr. Cahoon joined Cornell's Tech transfer office in 1990, he brought with him experience as an inventor and an entrepreneur. He was very involved in creating opportunities and recruiting entrepreneurs. He created the Venture Vision Summary which was like a tech brief.

[04:48] He wanted to take a proactive role in creating entrepreneurial activity in rural towns.

[06:10] Dr. Cahoon shares information about his first tech and entrepreneur pilot program in Auburn, New York. 

[09:30] There was robust entrepreneurship at Cornell which helped with the pilot program that Dr. Cahoon was developing. 

[10:19] How Tech Transfer professionals can help foster local talent retention through similar models.

[11:11] Thinking about the creative economy and creative people. Tech Transfer professionals are the bridge to enable the creative economy to flourish.

[12:56] He left the Tech Transfer office in 2009 just as it was beginning to thrive.

[13:41] We learn about a startup that came out of the Geneva campus at Cornell. It was about biological control of agricultural pests and disease.

[17:49] Dr. Cahoon made a connection with the owner of a car dealership while he was at Cornell. They ended up establishing a venture fund.

[18:51] Challenges when extending Tech Transfer models to a rural context.

[21:48] The importance of cooperative extension programs. 

[24:09] Parallels between rural America's current situation and other countries or regions when fostering local innovation.

[25:55] How fortunate we are in the United States. Other countries have so much bureaucracy it's absolutely stifling.

[26:28] Key steps for growing this particular model at Cornell and other universities.  It would be interesting to get a room full of Tech Transfer office directors and cooperative extension directors.

[28:13] It might be possible to start by getting Tech Transfer people together at AUTM. 

[28:53] The AUTM 50th Anniversary meeting is coming up in March in Washington DC.

[29:11] Movements with impact often start with a small group.

[30:29] Dr. Cahoon shares the story about a small town that was once thriving because of technology and patents. This one is about the Channel Master TV antenna. 

[32:05] This success can be reproduced with new technology.

[32:34] Practical advice for getting started and gaining traction in your local community. Reach out and look for technologies that might belong in a rural community. Do marketing with that in mind.

[35:08] How the TTO/Cooperative Extension could evolve. It has the potential to be one of the pillars of the mission of Tech Transfer. 

Resources: 

Dr. Richard Cahoon LinkedIn

Dr. Richard Cahoon

Dr. Richard Cahoon

In recent years, CRISPR technology has emerged as a game-changer in the world of gene editing, unlocking remarkable possibilities across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science.

But what is CRISPR? CRISPR stands for "Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats" and is based on an ancient function of prokaryotes—single-celled organisms such as bacteria and archaea. These organisms use a specialized CRISPR-associated molecule, Cas, to cut and destroy the DNA of invading viruses called bacteriophages. 

The CRISPR-Cas system has been engineered to work in eukaryotes, like animals and plants. Its ability to make precise, targeted cuts in DNA sequences allows scientists to insert, delete, and modify DNA across a wide variety of cells. Among the various Cas proteins identified, the best known is CRISPR-Cas9, which has become a transformative tool in genome editing.

Given the potential value of this technology, the CRISPR patent landscape is vast. Some estimates suggest there are more than 12,000 families of patents related to CRISPR technology. Unsurprisingly, disputes have arisen over the ownership of these patents. Most famously, two groups have claimed rights to the use of CRISPR-Cas9 for eukaryotic gene editing: the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Vienna, and Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier (CVC) on one side, and the Harvard-MIT Broad Institute on the other. 

This dispute has led to several complex and lengthy battles in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the European Patent Office, the Japanese Patent Office, the Chinese Patent Office, and in various courts, where proceedings are still ongoing.

Here to help us understand the latest developments in these ongoing disputes is Dr. Kevin Noonan. Kevin is an experienced patent lawyer, molecular biologist, and renowned thought leader in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent law. He is a partner at the intellectual property law firm McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff, where he co-chairs the firm's Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Practice Group. 

He is also the co-founder and regular contributor to Patent Docs, a website featuring news and commentary on patent law. In addition, he is a co-editor and contributing author of the book Claim Construction and the Federal Circuit, and a contributing author of Antitrust Issues in Intellectual Property Law, now in its second edition.

In This Episode:

[03:42] Dr. Noonan talks about how the Broad Institute and CVC became key players in the CRISPR patent landscape. Broad had very aggressively filed patents. CVC took a more laid back approach. Since the Broad patents were already filed they caused interference when the CVC patents came up.

[05:41] Broad had the earlier filing date.

[06:35] Dr. Noonan explains interferences. 

[11:21] Eventually, the patents and applications may need to be decided in court.

[12:03] A summary of the main claims and inventions in the first interference. One had a more narrow claim to CRISPR.

[13:22] PTAP dismissed the first interference finding no interference.

[15:57] Interference number one was a victory to Broad.

[16:14] California wasn't happy with the first decision, so they filed a second interference.

[17:40] We learn about the rationale behind PTAB holding for Broad.

[21:55] The PTAB determined in the first interference that this was complicated and if it didn't work, they didn't really have conception.

[24:42] This is really an anomaly in interference law to have the second to conceive in the absence of these diligence issues, to have the second to conceive get the priority.

[25:14] Because it's so complicated, it's taking the Federal Circuit a long time to decide.

[26:22] Dr. Noonan shares how Broad should approach the case.

[27:32] There are four more CRISPR interferences involving Broad and CVC. Two involve Sigma Aldrich and the other two involve ToolGen.

[31:21] Dr. Noonan talks about what this means for the future of CRISPR research and applications and what tech transfer offices should be most aware of.

[34:42] Lessons that innovators, researchers, and tech transfer offices can draw from all of these interferences moving forward.

[39:35] The status of the Broad Institute and CVC's CRISPR-Cas9 patents in Europe.

[45:08] We discuss Sigma and ToolGen's patents in Europe. 

[47:15] The status of the Broad Institute’s and CVC’s CRISPR-Cas9 patents in Japan and China.

[48:28] Final thoughts for Tech Transfer offices. It's a moving target, and as time goes by, there's more types of genetic interferences.

[49:45] The University of Missouri has gotten the first CRISPR pig patent in Europe. There's a proposed ban in Europe on selling CRISPR genetically modified plants. 

Resources: 

Dr. Kevin Noonan

Dr. Kevin Noonan LinkedIn

Patent Docs

What if the next technology or scientific breakthrough is hidden in ancient tribal knowledge? Today, we'll look at Indigenous knowledge and intellectual property, and how Tech Transfer Offices deal with the specific issues of protecting and honoring these cultural assets.  

We're delighted to welcome Graham Strong, Otago Innovation's commercialization manager with over 25 years of business expertise. Graham is an expert in both intellectual property and Indigenous rights, with a PhD in Botany and a Master of Laws focusing on the monetization of Māori medicinal knowledge.  

As Otago Innovation's expert in natural product commercialization and Indigenous intellectual property, Graham is perfectly positioned to help us navigate this complex landscape.  

We'll look at the underlying contrasts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous intellectual property systems, the problems of protecting Indigenous IP during technology transfer, and the importance of respectful interaction with Indigenous people.  

We also look at how universities may form meaningful, long-term relationships that go beyond transactional agreements, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are heard and their expertise is appropriately recognized and preserved during the innovation process.  

In This Episode:

[01:44] Graham has a lot of expertise in both intellectual property and indigenous rights.

[02:02] Graham shares that traditional knowledge and indigenous IP are two different things.

[04:02] We talk about how universities can engage indigenous communities in a culturally respectful and meaningful way.

[05:01] Conversations can start when everyone realizes it's okay to be uncomfortable. Graham also talks about reputational damage.

[06:06] Key challenges when protecting indigenous IP in the context of text transfer.

[07:19] We talk about things like handling consent and ownership when traditional knowledge is embedded in new technology.

[08:14] It's difficult to protect background IP which is in the public domain. Graham talks about prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms. These are some of the ingredients that can be in place to handle consent of ownership.

[10:05] Drafting these types of agreements is still a work in progress for Graham's institution.

[11:32] The role that indigenous communities play in the decision-making about how they're knowledge is used.

[13:14] It's a balance between financial and non-financial when putting these partnerships together.

[15:45] We learn about the distinctions of which group you should engage in when looking for permission to use indigenous IP.

[18:33] Talking about cultural respect in tech transfer.

[20:33] We discuss whether universities are able to navigate these complexities while maintaining their core focus on research and innovation.

[23:02] Treating indigenous partners like any other partner and having a negotiation and seeing where it lands.

[24:38] Dealing with issues early on before money is involved.

[27:32] Graham shares a situation where involvement of indigenous communities has slowed down the commercialization of a technology.

[30:02] There have been times when there's been limited flexibility in developing commercialized technology with indigenous communities.

[32:03] We learn about how best practices in indigenous IP protection from other countries apply to universities in various legal, cultural, or economic contexts.

Resources: 

Graham Strong - Otago Innovation

Graham Strong LinkedIn

The bourbon industry is a major economic driver for the Kentucky region, with 95% of the world's bourbon supply made and aged in the Bluegrass State. There’s more behind those barrels than aging whisky. 

I’m joined by Dr. Greg Tucker , a licensing manager and commercialization specialist III at the University of Louisville. His extensive experience includes negotiating business terms for license agreements, managing university technologies, and establishing partnerships between innovators and companies. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from Arizona State University and has multiple U.S. patents in renewable energy.

We talk about the rich history of bourbon, exploring its origins dating back to George Washington and the evolution of its production process. We discuss how intellectual property plays a crucial role in the bourbon industry, from trademarks protecting iconic brands to patents safeguarding innovative distillation methods.

Greg also shares insights into notable IP cases, including the Jack Daniel's dog toy dispute and Maker's Mark's signature red wax seal. We also explore groundbreaking innovations emerging from the University of Louisville, with a spotlight on Bioproducts LLC. This company is revolutionizing the industry by transforming distillery waste into valuable products like animal feed, healthy sugar alternatives, and even materials for 3D printing.

Whether you're a bourbon enthusiast or just curious about how innovation impacts industry, this episode is for you. Grab your glass, sit back, and let’s toast to the history and future of bourbon.

In This Episode:

[02:17] Greg is the licensing manager at University of Louisville Research Foundation and the diversity and inclusion pillar lead for HIPAA, our Kentucky Intellectual Property Association here locally in Louisville.

[04:12] Bourbon is a 9 billion dollar industry in Kentucky.

[05:12] Greg shares the history of bourbon with us.

[07:29] What makes bourbon a bourbon is that the mash is at least 51% corn. It also has to be distilled and aged in an oak barrel.

[11:09] During prohibition people could still buy medicinal bourbon.

[11:40] September is also bourbon heritage month.

[12:13] You can still find George Washington's still at Mount Vernon.

[13:39] Tennessee whiskey is bourbon with an additional process.

[15:29] Greg talks more about what makes a bourbon a bourbon.

[16:31] The role that IP plays when it comes to bourbon. It touches every aspect from names and trademarks to copyrights and design patents.

[19:34] There are also a lot of bourbon trade secrets.

[21:13] Greg talks about Jack Daniels vs. VIP Products, where a Jack Daniels bottle replica was used as a dog toy. Maker's Mark also had a case involving the red signature wax that drips from the top of the bottle.

[25:23] Bioproducts transform organic waste from distilleries into value-added products.

[27:20] Stillage is the organic grainy waste leftover from the fermentation process. Some interesting uses have been for it from animal feed to sweeteners. 

[30:07] There is also a company working on developing Biocoal. 

[32:35] Greg talks about working with farmers and collaborations using biomass.

[34:31] The Estate Whiskey Alliance is trying to make the industry more efficient.

[36:05] Greg talks about using carbon credits and becoming more efficient.

[38:07] Challenges from scaling up with Bioproducts

[44:19] We learn about a quantitative method that can be used to identify the type of bourbon or whiskey due to its unique grain pattern.

[46:26] For Greg, bourbon tasting is not only work, it's a hobby too.

[47:46] Greg talks about his favorite bourbon and whiskey along with an IP story. 

[53:44] This episode winds down with talking about favorite bourbons and sharing a virtual drink. 

[55:57] Greg walks us through a traditional Kentucky bourbon tasting.

Resources: 

T. Gregory Tucker, Ph.D. LinkedIn

Telpriore Greg Tucker Facebook

Bioproducts, LLC

AI is transforming the tech transfer industry, but how can we stay ahead of this rapidly evolving technology and fully leverage its capabilities? In this episode, we explore how AI is becoming an essential tool, helping accelerate licensing deals, identify the right industry partners, and market innovations more effectively.

To dive deeper into these advancements, we offer a sneak peek into our upcoming 4-week virtual course, The Future of Tech Transfer: Leveraging AI to Find & Secure Licensing Deals. This course is designed to equip you with practical AI skills that can revolutionize your approach to tech transfer.

It covers topics ranging from finding ideal industry partners to crafting personalized marketing strategies, all while emphasizing AI tools that boost efficiency and productivity in tech transfer offices. We also address the importance of adopting AI now to avoid falling behind in this fast-moving field.

Joining us are the course’s expert instructors: Peter Bittner, founder and CEO of The Upgrade, who has helped organizations like NASA and Apple close the AI skills gap, and Dr. D’vorah Graeser, founder and CEO of RocketSmart.io, a platform using AI to connect universities with top corporate partners.

In This Episode:

[02:14] This course is intended to look at AI from the perspective of a tech transfer professional. It's about using AI tools to make the process faster and more productive.

[03:37] AI tools can help innovations find the right commercial home and the right partner to commercialize the innovation and bring it to market.

[04:42] These tools will help tech transfer professionals find the right contact and make the right case.

[05:24] D’vorah talks about challenges for tech transfer offices finding corporate partners.

[06:42] Peter talks about the wide range of tools that they'll be covering in the course.

[10:32] D’vorah talks about how AI tools can help with invention summaries by defining the essence of the summary in regular language or from a business perspective.

[12:20] One way to craft a stronger pitch is to find the buyer side persona. Who is the buyer? How to identify the correct buyer persona?

[14:17] The pre-recorded modules of the live course will give everyone a foundation. The live part of the course will show how the tool can be used within specific contexts.

[15:13] There will be a pre-recorded module before every live module that corresponds to the content.

[16:40] Peter talks about how AI will allow all storytellers to do more with less.

[18:06] They're going to have office hours titled, Ask Us Anything About AI.

[20:04] D’vorah also encourages everybody to join the AI Special Interest Group. She also has a book coming out. They want to scale down AI for specific fields.

[22:51] D’vorah and Peter talk about the specifics of the modules and how busy people can fit the class into their schedules.

[24:34] Peter shares an AI success story and how AI enables a small team to be scrappier and more productive.

[27:21] How AI is going to evolve over the next 5 to 10 years and the possibilities of reducing friction.

[29:02] We talk about why tech transfer professionals should get involved in AI right now. 

Resources: 

The Future of Tech Transfer: 4-Week Virtual Training Course: October 15 – November 7

Peter Bittner - The Upgrade

Peter Bittner LinkedIn

Dr. D’vorah Graeser - Rocket Smart

Dr. D’vorah Graeser LinkedIn

Recent research has highlighted that patents from majority-female inventor teams receive significantly fewer citations—up to 22% less—than those from majority-male teams. Citations play a key role in measuring the impact and value of patents, making this gap significant not only for the inventors themselves but also for the broader innovation landscape. 

Why are female inventors' patents cited less frequently, and how does this imbalance affect their future development and the total capacity for innovation?

Our guest today is Gauri Subramani, an assistant professor in Lehigh University's Department of Management. Gauri's research focuses on gender and resource disparity in innovation, using data-driven methods to identify gaps and investigate potential remedies. 

Prior to joining academia, Gauri worked as a consultant and political appointee in the Office of Economic Policy at the United States Department of Treasury under the Obama administration. Her research spans the United States patent system and digital platforms, where she investigates the impact of representation on innovation and entrepreneurship.

One of the major topics we explore is the persisting gender discrepancy in patent citations, even after controlling for a variety of variables. We investigate whether this disparity is predominantly caused by applicant-added citations rather than examiner-added citations. Our discussion delves into the tendency of majority-male teams to regularly cite patents from other majority-male teams, as well as how patents from majority-female teams are less likely to be further developed. 

We also look at how women's patent undercitation affects businesses that rely significantly on cumulative innovation, such healthcare and technology. Finally, our study contributes significantly to the continuing discussion about diversity, inclusion, and innovation in the field of patenting and intellectual property.

In This Episode:

[03:08] Patent citations are an established way by which researchers really measure the impact and quality of an invention. Gauri wanted to explore the gap in citations between female and male inventors. 

[04:04] Female inventor teams received up to 22% fewer citations than male counterparts. Why does this citation gap exist?

[05:21] After implementing multiple controls in the study there's a 4% gap that they can't answer for.

[05:48] They've discovered that female inventors' patents are less likely to be cited and appear to be less likely to be further developed by subsequent inventions.

[06:59] This could mean that female inventor patents are less likely to be cited because they're less likely to be built upon. It's also possible that female patents could be perceived as less impactful.

[08:57] Citations are primarily added to patents by applicants or examiners.

[10:17] The gender gap seems to be driven entirely by applicant-added citations.

[11:22] Gender in-group preference appears to be a factor in patent citations.

[14:19] Technology areas with more female inventors grow more slowly. Female inventors' patents are also more distinct.

[15:26] We discuss how gender affects access to social networks that facilitate knowledge diffusion in the patent system.

[17:13] This gap could translate into other gaps and make less incentive for females to develop their inventions.

[19:08] Being less likely to build on inventions by female inventors exasperates several underlying problems especially in the healthcare and technology fields.

[20:39] There can be a desire to cite as little as possible on patent citations.

[22:23] Applicants and tech transfer offices should proactively think about the processes by which they search for and add citations. 

[24:32] The Council for Inclusive Innovation is a signal of the USPTO's commitment to increasing diversity in patenting.

Resources: 

Gauri Subramani

Gauri Subramani Lehigh University

Gauri Subramani LinkedIn

Untapped Potential: Investigating Gender Disparities in Patent Citations

Council for Inclusive Innovation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries across the board, from healthcare to finance, bringing with it new challenges for inventors, universities, and the IP community. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently issued new guidance on subject matter eligibility for AI inventions, providing much-needed clarity on how AI-related innovations can be patented. This update is vital for those working at the intersection of technology and intellectual property, especially in tech transfer offices and research institutions.

My guest today is someone deeply involved in shaping these policies: Derrick Brent, the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As Deputy Director of the USPTO, Derrick serves as the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Kathi Vidal. In his role, Derrick works to advance intellectual property policies that foster innovation, support startups, and enhance entrepreneurship nationwide.

We discuss AI subject matter eligibility guidance and its impact on the future of AI patenting. Derrick shares that the goal of this guidance is to promote clarity and consistency for both USPTO staff and external stakeholders in analyzing AI and critical emerging technologies. The USPTO aims to streamline the patenting process for AI-related inventions through clarity and consistency to patent subject matter eligibility. We also cover where stakeholders can submit comments and feedback on these guidelines. Additionally, we explore the tools and resources available to help everyone become AI fluent to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. 

In This Episode:

[02:39] Derrick gives us a brief overview of the key updates in the USPTO's AI subject matter eligibility guidance. 

[03:02] AI presents one of the greatest technological innovation opportunities in a generation. It's transformative and an amazing Innovation opportunity.

[03:32] Order 14110 or the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of AI. Was used as a guiding principle.

[04:06] The guidance on the intersection of AI and IP, which could include patent eligibility issues related to innovation in AI and Critical Emerging Technologies was issued on July 17th of 2024. We are now in the middle of the comment period.

[04:12] There are three main parts to the guidance. The first part is to assist USPTO personnel and stakeholders in evaluating subject

matter eligibility for AI inventions. 

[04:38] The second part of it is to provide a new set of examples to assist in applying guidance. The third part is to address feedback from stakeholders and also to discuss the law and policy landscape.

[06:40] Derrick shares information about the previous guidance that led up to this new guidance.

[12:19] The comment period is going on now, so submit your feedback regulations.gov.

[13:22] They are going to stay current with developments through engagement with stakeholders and interagency conversations and collaborations.

[15:41] Derrick shares important tools like Site Experience Education Program (SEE) and the Patent Examiner Technology Training Program (PETTP). The USPTO also has an AI portal.

[17:53] How the guidance addresses distinguishing between abstract ideas and practical applications.

[18:36] There is a two prong analysis. If the first prong is met then you move to the second prong.

[22:53]  Use the tools with AI related patent applications. Be diligent and describe your invention as clearly as possible

[26:39] If you're interested in commenting, go to regulations.gov. The deadline for commenting should be in the portal.

[27:41] In spite of the type of IP, there is a consistency for the rules and guidelines of evaluation.

[29:49] Challenges include new and unprecedented inventions.

[30:56] Derick talks about government collaboration.

[33:14] AI is going to be a transformative problem solving tool.

Resources: 

Derrick Brent

Derrick Brent LinkedIn

Journey to the USPTO — Derrick Brent, USPTO Deputy Director

Regulations.gov

Site Experience Education Program

USPTO Artificial Intelligence