The AI Patent Myth: What You Can Actually Protect

What you can actually protect in AI, and why the patent myth holds many innovators back. In this session from the Big Data & Analytics Summit Canada, Andrea Yzeiri, Chief Data and Analytics Officer and Lead AI Engineer at Picsumi, breaks down what intellectual property protection really looks like in the age of AI. As organizations accelerate investment in AI and machine learning, many assume IP protection is limited because algorithms and models themselves can be hard to patent. Yet some of the most valuable competitive advantages in AI come not from the models alone, but from the unique processes, architectures, datasets, workflows, and innovations around them. Drawing on real-world experience developing a multi-patent-pending machine learning solution, Andrea traces the journey from technical innovation to IP strategy and commercialization. Inside this talk: • Identifying potentially patentable innovations within AI, machine learning, data science, and software development •.Understanding the practical limitations and opportunities of patents in AI-driven products and services • Evaluating alternative forms of IP protection, including trade secrets, proprietary datasets, process innovation, and evaluation frameworks Integrating IP considerations earlier into product development, engineering, and innovation lifecycles • Building a defensible competitive advantage by aligning technical innovation, governance, and commercialization strategies • Leveraging Canadian and provincial programs, funding, and support resources to protect and scale innovation If you work in AI, data science, product, research, or technical leadership, this is a practical look at how to turn technical innovation into sustainable business value through a smart intellectual property strategy. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ UPCOMING EVENTS 🔹 6th Annual Data Analytics for Public Sector October 21 & 22, 2026 | Old Mill Toronto Hotel 🔹 7th Annual Big Data West November 3 & 4, 2026 | Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver BC 🔹 14th Annual Data Analytics for Healthcare December 8 & 9, 2026 | Old Mill Toronto Hotel ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ #AIPatents #IntellectualProperty #AIInnovation #MachineLearning #IPStrategy #BigData #AICommercialization #TradeSecrets #DataScience #TechInnovation #PatentStrategy #AIBusinessValue #DataAnalytics #BigDataCanada