On October 8, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched a pilot program based on artificial intelligence: the Automated Search Pilot Program (ASAP!).
This initiative aims to test a pre-examination prior art search conducted by an AI-powered tool.
For an official fee of $90 for a micro entity, $180 for a small entity, or $450 for any applicant not falling into these categories, applicants can now receive an AI-generated search report: the Assisted Search Results Notice (ASRN).
This report will include 10 documents, along with a summary of the search, and will allow applicants to request fee refunds—particularly if highly relevant documents are identified—or to file a request to amend their claims.
It is understood that the goal is not to replace human examiners, but to help applicants anticipate potential issues related to prior art.
Note that the program is limited in both time and scope. Only 200 applications will be accepted per Technology Center, and only until April 20, 2026.
The program will then be evaluated to determine whether it should be extended or expanded.
For more information, consult the notice published in the Federal Register.