Racing Against AI: Rethinking Intellectual Property
Innovating in 2025 (and beyond)—in 179 words 💨
Artificial intelligence has dramatically shortened the gap between an original idea and a copycat. Previously, entrepreneurs relied on a natural head start—a window of time to turn a new idea into a business before “me too” rivals could catch up. Formal protections like patents often felt unnecessary or even harmful, since healthy competition fuels markets. I’ve always preferred cooperation with peers over operating in stealth or imposing artificial roadblocks.
Now, with AI able to rapidly replicate products, brands, and features, that head start can vanish in days or even hours. This challenges my belief that a head start alone is enough to incentivize innovation.
Given this shift, it’s worth asking: Are traditional patents the answer? If not, how should entrepreneurs protect and launch new ideas in a world where AI is rewriting the rules?
While a head start can no longer protect new ideas, I’m still not convinced we need legal safeguards in most cases. Speed has a way of making ideas more derivative, and I believe there’s now an opportunity to become more collaborative and less competitive.