The New AI Patent Race

Who Will Own the $431B Data Center Gold Rush?

Enterprise data generation is projected to reach 1.2 million exabytes by 2025, placing unprecedented demands on digital infrastructure. As AI workloads continue to expand, data centers must evolve to support high-performance computing, real-time data processing, and advanced energy management.

AI-driven data centers are addressing these challenges by integrating AI-specific semiconductors, high-speed interconnects, liquid cooling, and renewable energy solutions to optimize efficiency, scalability, and sustainability.

Valued at $71.92 billion in 2022, the data center as a service market is projected to grow to $431.43 billion by 2030, driven by increasing demand for AI-optimized infrastructure and innovations in energy-efficient computing.

Key Factors Shaping The Market:

• AI-specific chip architectures, energy-efficient cooling systems, and high-performance networking solutions are enabling scalable AI workloads while improving operational efficiency.
• The AI data center market is experiencing a surge in patent filings as companies race to secure foundational technologies, define industry standards, and establish licensing control in this high-growth sector.
• Five of the top patent holders in AI-driven data centers are from China, one from South Korea, and the remainder from the United States. Overall, 77% of all filings in this landscape originate from China, underscoring the country’s dominant role in shaping next-generation AI infrastructure.
• Patent disputes are shaping competition in AI infrastructure. Cases like Intel’s $2.18 billion ruling and Netlist’s $118 million lawsuit against Samsung highlight the financial and strategic importance of IP.