​CodeFest competition submissions nearly double

The ongoing CodeFest 2024 competition has invited coders and developers from EPO member states to propose generative AI applications to revolutionise patent data access and usage. The competition was launched on 2 July and the deadline for the first round was 16 August. During this short time, 59 proposals were submitted by 33 teams and 26 individual competitors, nearly double the number of submissions received in the last edition. In total, 120 people participated in proposing ideas to be implemented, of which 17 were EPO staff.  

We are pleased by the strong interest in the competition as well as the diverse talents it has attracted, with the pool of candidates representing 33 different nationalities. A variety of inventive proposals for implementing generative AI applications were submitted, showcasing the competition’s ability to help introduce cutting-edge solutions to the EPO´s platforms and services. 

50 proposals have moved to the second round! 

The jury has selected the proposals to advance to the second round, and participants have already begun developing and coding their solutions. To implement the best generative AI applications possible, they are leveraging the vast resources offered by the EPO, ranging from patent data sets to the Technology Intelligence Platform. These final submissions will be evaluated based on their innovation, feasibility, impact and technical excellence. After careful deliberation, a grand prize winner will be chosen, as well as a 1st and 2nd runner-up. 

Given the number of innovative proposals, the jury will likely face a tough challenge when selecting the winners!

Meet the jury

• David Horat, Director of Patent Knowledge, Legal and International Affairs  
• Åsa Ribbe, Principal Director Operations, Patent Granting Process 
• Sylvia Kok-de Vries, Director of Prospects and Studies, Corporate Services  
• Franco Mascia, Data Scientist, Patent Granting Process  
• Diego Eguidazu Alonso, Chief Information Officer 

What’s next?

23 October – Deadline for competitors to submit their code
18 November – Announcement of the finalists  
First week of December – Announcement of the winners at the prize ceremony