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Each year, IEEE engages the IP consulting firm 1790 Analytics to analyze how IEEE-published information influences patents in today's top technologies.

IEEE leads patent citations

The 2026 report by 1790 Analytics LLC examined patents filed with the U.S. Patent Office between 2006–2025 by the year's 50 top-patenting organizations. The report revealed that IEEE journals and conference proceedings received over 670,000 patent citations—2.5 times more than the number of citations of any other publisher.

Top 20 Publishers Referenced Most Frequently by Top 50 Patenting Organizations

Source: 1790 Analytics LLC, Copyright 2026.

2026 citation study highlights

The current 1790 Analytics LLC study shows that:

  • IEEE journals and conference proceedings received 2.5 times more than the number of citations than any other publisher.
  • References to IEEE papers in patents have increased by 830% since 1997.
  • AI and ML-related patenting has increased nearly tenfold over the past 10 years. IEEE publications have kept pace with this surge, as 30% of AI-related patent references are to IEEE, 3X more than any other publisher.
  • Patents that reference IEEE are cited more often than patents that do not.
  • In the overall patent database, patented technologies are increasingly referencing scientific articles, and IEEE provides an increasing portion of that science base.
  • Not only do IEEE publications frequently provide the science base for new inventions, but inventions that build upon IEEE publications are more likely to be valuable in the future than inventions that do not.
  • When analyzing patents by discipline, IEEE is the #1 most referenced publisher in AI, Blockchain, Computer Hardware, Computer Software, Cybersecurity, Data Center Power, IoT, Power Systems, Semiconductors, Renewable Energy (Wind & Solar), Space Connectivity/Satellite Communications, Telecom, and more.
  • An additional study, based on data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), has also been published and reveals that IEEE has been ranked the number one cited publisher among WIPO Patents, reinforcing that IEEE is a driving force in fostering innovation globally.

The Top Patented Technology Trends Shaping Global Innovation

The report also analyzes U.S. patents issued to identify key trends and technologies shaping global innovation, including AI systems, blockchain technology, advanced quantum computing, satellite communications, and autonomous vehicles. These patent trends show where innovation is growing, and the list of the top 50 patenting companies in 2025 demonstrates which organizations are leading the way. Some of the trends highlighted include:

  • U.S. issued patents overall have nearly doubled in the last 20 years (173,921 in 2006 to 325,796,858 in 2025)
  • The importance of scientific and technical literature to patented technology is increasing in all areas. This research shows that the average U.S. patent had only 2.76 non-patent references (NPRs) back in 1997. That number jumped to 11.77 by 2025 – a 326% increase
  • The U.S. patent system grants a large share of its annual patents to major international companies, with foreign conglomerates accounting for a significant portion of top patent recipients. More than half (31) of the top 50 patenting companies in 2025 are based outside of the USA. For example, thirteen of the top 50 are Japanese companies, seven are from South Korea, and five are from China.
  • The latest report analyzed patents in several technology categories and identified the top 10 fastest-growing technologies of interest by 5-year growth rate. For example, Blockchain technology has grown by 446% in the last 5 years, AI and Machine Learning by 293%, and Quantum Computing by 241%.

Fastest Growing Patented Technologies

U.S. Patents by Technical Category Sorted by 5-Year Growth Rate

    1. Blockchain: 446%
    2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: 293%
    3. Quantum Computing: 241%
    4. Autonomous Vehicles: 117%
    5. Space connectivity (telecommunications via Satellite technology): 93%
    6. Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing: 45%
    7. Virtual/Augmented Reality: 44%
    8. Computer Software: 30%
    9. Cybersecurity: 17%
    10. Electric Vehicles: 16%

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In its annual study of patent references, 1790 Analytics LLC reveals a wealth of data that places IEEE as the number-one most-cited publisher by technical researchers, as well as a leading source of information and research that is used by industries not central to the IEEE mission.

Additional study of patent references from WIPO demonstrates similar results, as IEEE is the #1 cited publisher in international patents as well.