Approximately 150 oral proceedings since May 2025 were part of a successful pilot in which minutes were drafted with the support of artificial intelligence (AI). Building on positive feedback from users and participating divisions, this AI-assisted approach will be expanded during 2026 to all oral proceedings in examination and opposition, as well as those taking place before the Receiving Section and the Legal Division.  

    How AI supports the work of divisions

    Audio is recorded in the video conferencing software and the transcript generated using an AI tool. Shortly after proceedings, the transcript is processed by the second member of the division with the help of another AI tool to produce draft minutes. After revision by the second member, the minutes are finalised by the division in accordance with Rule 124(3) EPC. The recording and its transcription are deleted once the minutes are issued to the parties to proceedings.

    Lessons taken from the pilot in 2025

    The pilot has proven very useful to fine tune and accelerate the transcript generation process and enhance the prompting tools. Examination and opposition divisions noted significant improvements in the consistency, structure and language of minutes, which was also welcomed by the parties involved. Those persons taking minutes appreciated having more time to focus on discussions and reported a more effective process overall. 

Source:https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/news/use-ai-support-minute-taking-examination-and-opposition-oral-proceedings-set