At the Professional Science Master’s program, we offer students the opportunity to learn directly from experts in the field. Professor DJ Nag invited many experts to provide guest lectures to students in his course Fundamentals of Intellectual Property in their area of expertise relating to intellectual property (IP). The most recent speaker was Leann Pinto, CEO of IPwe. Pinto joined MBS students at the Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center for an exciting talk about future trends in IP transactions and artificial intelligence (AI). IPwe is a global innovation leader in AI and blockchain-based IP analytics, providing clients with a financial valuation of their patent, industry, or IP portfolio.
Pinto shared her academic and professional journey with students. Having always loved science, Pinto completed an undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical services and a J.D. Before her role at IPwe, she was a top licensing executive at IBM.
Pinto shared with the audience her favorite quote: “Growth and comfort can’t coexist,” she said. She shared a list that she had asked ChatGPT to compile of ten things MBA students should know about the future of IP transactions and AI—revealing that many of the items were also on her own list.
Afterward, Nag joined her to answer a series of questions relating to the IP industry. Using their combined expertise, they discussed issues such as the ethics of patent trolling, experiences working in IP within the vastly different industries of pharma and tech, IP policy, and more.
Of course, they also answered the question on everyone’s mind: where will AI take IP markets in the next five years? And how will AI reshape the IP workforce?
Pinto ended by giving students one last valuable piece of advice: “don’t limit yourself.”
Nag, left, and Pinto, right 
After Pinto’s talk, students were able to mingle and network. The lecture was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn more about IP and AI from a speaker with expertise in the subject.
“The idea of artificial intelligence and how that will impact intellectual property is very interesting and something that I think is going to be a complicated, gray area as we move forward,” said Emily Marr, Personal Care Science, “but obviously worth exploring.”
“This is my first semester at the MBS. I’m taking two classes, and I’ve learned a ton,” said Lance Scibilia, Sustainability. He continued, “The speaker was great. She has an awesome business model. I don’t know a ton about AI and blockchain, but it seems like there are a lot of opportunities in the IP world.”
“It’s been really interesting to see this side of the business because it’s not something that I’ve ever thought about when I thought about going into this program and looking for a business degree,” said Marr. She added that she’s learned a lot about the intangible aspects of business, which will be invaluable in any professional role she chooses to take.
“Having an opportunity to learn about integration of AI [artificial intelligence], blockchain, and policy practices in IP in an in-person event while networking with fellow classmates is definitely a valuable experience and also speaks to what MBS stands for,” said Pushpadantgiri Goswamim, Drug Discovery and Development.
To learn more about this course, read about a class trip to the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks, where students heard from patent examiners, trademark attorneys, and other officials about their roles in the USPTO and how to get involved.
To view all of our upcoming events, check out our events page. You can also follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up to date.