Programme structure
The FICPI AI Patent Drafting Masterclass follows a progressive, two‑part structure, beginning with preparatory access and orientation in advance of the event, and culminating in an intensive, in‑person drafting Masterclass. The emphasis throughout is on practical patent drafting, not product demonstrations.
Preparatory Phase: Early Access and Readiness
To ensure that the in‑person Masterclass is focused on drafting, rather than setup and troubleshooting, delegates are asked to complete a small amount of preparation in advance.
Early tool access and licensing
Registered delegates will be provided with time‑limited early access licences to the AI drafting tools used in the Masterclass, made available ahead of the event to support familiarisation and readiness, and subject to applicable provider terms. This early access allows delegates to familiarise themselves with the tools in advance and ensures that everyone can participate fully on the day.
Online pre‑training
Short online onboarding sessions will be held before the Masterclass to walk delegates through:
- logging in to each tool
- basic navigation and setup, and
- any tool‑specific requirements relevant to the workshop
These sessions are practical and focused on readiness. Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend live. The objective is to ensure that in‑person time is devoted to drafting and comparison, rather than setup or basic orientation.
Pre‑work (“homework”)
Delegates will also be asked to complete a simple pre‑work task before arriving in Budapest. The task is deliberately light and is designed to ensure that:
- all tools are accessible
- basic setup has been completed, and
- no one arrives on the day unable to use the systems
Full details of the pre‑training sessions, early access, and pre‑work will be provided to registered delegates in advance of the Masterclass.
On the Day
Plenary sessions
Plenary Session 1
Welcome and orientation
This session introduces:
- The objectives of the Masterclass
- The overall structure of the day
- The AI drafting tools that will be used
- How the morning and afternoon sessions will run
Plenary Session 2
AI, LLMs, and professional responsibility
A practical, attorney focused session covering:
- How AI drafting tools and LLMs work at a functional level
- What these systems do and do not do in a drafting context
- Confidentiality, data security, and data retention considerations
- Professional responsibility, privilege, and ethical constraints
- Tool-specific considerations, with particular reference to the systems used in the masterclass
The focus is on equipping delegates to use AI drafting tools responsibly and defensibly in professional patent practice.
Morning sessions: experience based breakouts
Following the plenary sessions, delegates move into parallel breakout rooms based on experience level with AI drafting tools:
- Beginner – little or no prior experience
- Intermediate – some experience and interest in structured workflows
- Advanced – regular users seeking deeper techniques and comparison
Each room runs facilitated, hands-on drafting sessions, with delegates spending structured time working with each AI tool. Tutors rotate between rooms so that all delegates experience each AI tool under comparable conditions.
The morning sessions focus on:
- Building confidence and fluency
- Understanding drafting workflows rather than isolated prompts
- Comparing how different tools approach the same drafting tasks
Afternoon sessions: drafting by subject matter area
In the afternoon, delegates regroup by technical subject matter area, with mixed experience levels in each room.
Subject matter streams (indicative)
The afternoon sessions are organised by broad technical area. The precise drafting focus may vary and will be adapted in light of the mix of delegates attending, in order to ensure the best possible learning experience. The streams are expected to include elements such as the following::
- ICT / Mechanical
Drafting exercises in this stream will include work on patent drawings, alongside other core drafting tasks
- Chemistry
Drafting exercises in this stream will include Markush group drafting, alongside related chemical patent drafting considerations
- Biotechnology
The detailed focus for this stream is to be confirmed but is likely to include sequence listings and related biotech specific drafting issues
These subject matter streams are designed to ensure that drafting exercises remain relevant to delegates’ technical backgrounds, without locking the programme into overly prescriptive content.
Closing session: independent peer discussion
Open discussion (no tool providers present)
The masterclass concludes with a full group discussion without the tool providers present.
This session allows delegates to:
- Reflect candidly on what they learned
- Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the tools
- Share views on how AI drafting tools may (or may not) fit into their own practice
The discussion is peer led and deliberately informal.
Drafting focus
Within each subject matter stream, delegates work with each AI drafting tool, applying it to a realistic invention disclosure.
Across the afternoon sessions, drafting work progresses through:
- Claim drafting
- Drafting of figures and drawings (where relevant)
- Detailed description drafting
- Reviewing, refining, and cross-checking outputs
The emphasis is on comparison across tools and on identifying drafting approaches that can transfer directly to real client work.
Tutors & facilitation
All facilitated sessions are led by qualified patent attorneys working at the AI tool providers’ companies.
This ensures that:
- Sessions are technically accurate
- Tool specific capabilities and limitations can be discussed in detail
- Delegates can ask practical, drafting focused questions during the exercises
The facilitation model is educational, practitioner led, and non marketing.