‘Fast Track’ preparations for AI patents in Turkey: Stricter oversight planned for high-risk systems

A new system is being prepared in Turkey to accelerate intellectual property processes for technologies developed in the field of artificial intelligence. It is stated that the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT) plans to implement an “AI Fast Track” application that will shorten the examination period for industrial property applications related to AI projects.

With the application, which is targeted to be implemented within a year, the aim is for companies and startups developing AI technology to finalize their patent and other industrial property applications in a shorter time. Thus, it is expected that companies will be able to secure their rights over the technologies they develop at an earlier stage.

It is considered that the new model could also be effective in investment processes. A more predictable and faster-moving intellectual property process could contribute to investors more easily analyzing the ownership and protection status of a technology.

RISK-BASED OVERSIGHT MODEL

The preparations are not limited to patent processes alone. It is stated that Turkey is working on a framework that will subject AI systems to different rules based on the risk they create. Accordingly, AI projects will be classified as low, medium, and high-risk applications.

While simpler checklists are envisioned for low-risk applications, a short Algorithmic Impact Assessment is planned for medium-risk systems. For high-impact systems used in areas such as health, education, recruitment, social assistance, credit assessment, biometric recognition, law enforcement, and justice, more comprehensive oversight mechanisms will come to the agenda.

Preparing a publicly available Model Card for high-impact AI systems and submitting a detailed technical file to supervisory authorities are also among the planned topics. The guide, which will contain the details of the risk classification, is targeted to be published within a year.

It is stated that the European Union's risk-based approach will be taken into account in the studies, but that Turkey will create its own legal and ethical framework. In this context, the protection of personal data will also be one of the important topics of the regulation.

It is planned to strengthen the compliance of the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK) with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in a way that also covers AI applications. The new rules are expected to clarify the conditions under which personal data can be used in training models, the obligations for explanation in automated decision-making systems, and the framework regarding the transfer of data abroad.

News Source: 12punto