Zhansaya Temerbulatova

Almaty Management University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

E-mail: t.zhansaya.s@gmail.com

ORCID 0000-0002-3205-0948

Artificial intelligence as a driver of innovation and patent activity: An empirical analysis of cross-country data

Aknur Zhidebekkyzy

Almaty Management University, Almaty, Kazakhstan;

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

E-mail: aknur.zh@gmail.com

ORCID 0000-0003-3543-547X

Rimma Sagiyeva

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan; 

National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan

E-mail: rimmasagiyeva@gmail.com 

ORCID 0000-0002-5150-4132

Anna Ludwiczak

University of Kalisz, 

Kalisz, Poland

E-mail: a.ludwiczak@uniwersytetkaliski.edu.pl

ORCID 0000-0001-8483-8270

Abstract. In the context of accelerated digitalization and the development of artificial intelligence technologies, the impact of AI on innovation and patent activity is becoming especially relevant. This study aims to empirically assess the relationship between various aspects of AI development and indicators of countries' innovative development. The Global Innovation Index and the level of patent activity are used as dependent variables, while investments in AI, publications, the number of new AI companies, and the aggregated AI rating serve as explanatory variables, along with control variables. The analysis used data for 36 countries for 2017-2023, and the panel regression method with fixed and random effects. The results show that publication activity and the number of AI companies have a positive and statistically significant impact on the GII index, while institutional factors – Human Development Index and R&D expenditures – contribute to the growth of patent activity. The findings also highlight the complex and context-dependent impact of aggregated AI ratings and investment levels, which appear to be influenced by each country's underlying economic structure and institutional quality. These results are in line with contemporary empirical research and point to the need for adaptive, well-targeted policy strategies that recognize AI’s potential as a driver of innovation and technological transformation, while accounting for national development contexts. 

Received: December, 2024

1st Revision: March, 2025

Accepted: September, 2025

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2025/18-3/11

JEL Classification: O31, O34, C23

Keywords: artificial intelligence, innovation activity, patents, Global Innovation Index, AI investment