Intellectual Property Rights in Artificial Intelligence Systems for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Abstract

This article examines the intersection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation. As AI technologies increasingly contribute to climate solutions, ranging from predictive models to renewable energy optimization, the adequacy of existing IPR frameworks in fostering innovation while ensuring equitable access becomes a pressing concern. The article explores how patents, copyrights, and trade secrets apply to AI driven innovations and highlights the challenges of ownership, authorship, and accessibility in the context of AI-generated works. It argues that current IPR regimes, designed for human inventions, struggle to accommodate AI’s autonomous contributions, creating ambiguities that could hinder collaboration and deployment of climate technologies. The article advocates for reform, including recognition of AI’s role in innovation, specialized protection categories, and international harmonization of laws. It further proposes collaborative mechanisms such as patent pools, open-source platforms, and tiered licensing models to balance proprietary incentives with the urgent global need for accessible climate solutions. By analyzing the tensions between innovation, ownership, and equity, this article underscores the necessity of rethinking IPR frameworks to enable AI-driven responses to the climate crisis.