Should Inventions Generated By AI Receive Patent Protection?

In the movie "Avengers: Age of Ultron," Tony Stark uploads his digital personal assistant J.A.R.V.I.S. into a synthetic body made from vibranium. With an energy infusion from Thor's hammer, Vision is born, an android that aids the Avengers in defeating Ultron, another Stark-created sentient android. At the movie's conclusion, Vision files for a patent on his unique energy beam, but his application is denied because he is not human.

That last part is, of course, not in the movie, but the underlying issue—whether something other than a person is eligible to receive a patent—is very real.

DABUS and Its Creations

Stephen Thaler created and developed the artificial intelligence system DABUS, which he claims invented both an improved food container and a light beacon for attracting/retaining attention.