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Google is currently facing a trial in Boston over allegations of patent infringement related to the processors powering its artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The case, brought by Singular Computing, accuses Google of copying computer scientist Joseph Bates’ technology. The Mountainview-based giant reportedly used it to enhance AI features in popular services like Google Search, Gmail, and Google Translate.
Singular Computing, initially sought up to $7 billion in damages, claiming that Google unlawfully used its patented AI technology to develop Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which are crucial for Google’s AI capabilities. Notably, Timbers suggested Google must pay $1.67 billion during the trial for the alleged AI-related patent infringement.
Google denied the patent infringement, dismissing Singular’s AI patents as “dubious”
Singular’s lawsuit, filed in 2019, asserts that Bates shared his computer-processing innovations with Google between 2010 and 2014. The complaint alleges that Google’s TPUs infringe on two of Singular’s patents and utilize an improved architecture discovered by Bates. Google, however, denies the allegations, dismissing Singular’s patents as “dubious”.
The Mountainview-based giant asserted that it developed the Tensor processing unit (TPU) independently over many years. Google added that its TPU functions differently from Singular’s patented technology.
In its court filing, Google stated that its engineers had mixed feelings about the technology and ultimately rejected it. The company claims that the tech in question was not suitable for the type of applications they were developing. It remains to be seen how will this end, but Google could end up paying a huge fine.
A separate case involves the validity of Singular’s AI patents
Apart from the ongoing trial, the US appeals court in Washington is hearing a separate case involving the validity of Singular’s patents. Google has appealed to invalidate Singular’s patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The outcome of these legal proceedings may have significant implications for the tech giant and the broader AI landscape.
Google, along with Meta, has held the highest percentage of AI research papers cited since 2020, according to the “State of AI Report 2023” by venture capital firm Air Street Capital.
Updated January 17, 2024: The title and a small portion of the article have been altered to represent the ongoing situation more accurately.