On May 9, 10, 16, 17, and 23, 2024, a unique course titled InnovAi was held at the Presidential Institution and the Academy of Arts of Iran, gathering over 88 innovation and invention enthusiasts aged 12 to 60. This event provided an exceptional opportunity for inventors and innovators to develop their ideas from the initial stage to advanced levels. The course was conducted by Mr. Masoud Shafaghi, Strategic Planning and Executive Office Manager at the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) in Geneva, Switzerland, and introduced participants to the RIT AI Assistant, unveiled for the first time in this course.
InnovAi was not just a training course but a comprehensive platform for hands-on learning, networking, and expert consultation. Participants were able to refine their ideas to the stage of final presentation and advance to filing their final patent application in the Intellectual Property Center’s system. The course was designed to provide a clear and structured path from ideation to entry into global markets.
Attendees gained practical experience and expert guidance, using the RIT AI Assistant to systematically develop their ideas. This tool helped them navigate various stages of product development, including research and development, design, testing, and market launch, in a structured and efficient manner.
As a leading program in the field of innovation and invention, InnovAi attracted significant attention from inventors and innovators. It not only provided participants with essential tools for idea development but also introduced them to global market challenges and opportunities. By the end of the course, participants successfully registered their ideas in the Intellectual Property Center’s system and completed related processes according to their goals.
Mr. Shafaghi, the course instructor, addressed a common misconception that only individuals with a technical or engineering background could pursue this path. He stated:
“I encountered many individuals who, after coming up with an idea, struggled to advance it due to a lack of knowledge about ideation techniques. They also faced difficulties searching for prior inventions in specialized databases and preparing the required files for patent applications. Therefore, alternative measures were needed to address this challenge.”
The InnovAi course spanned five days, each focusing on specific topics:
- Day 1: Introduction to fundamental concepts of innovation and invention and methods for identifying innovative opportunities.
- Day 2: Development of ideas and introduction of the first version of the RIT AI Assistant, enabling participants to systematically refine their ideas and go through the research and development stages.
- Day 3: Application of learned techniques and hands-on experience with the RIT AI Assistant, utilizing its features to refine initial ideas.
- Day 4: Idea enhancement and patent application preparation, where participants advanced their ideas and learned how to draft a patent application.
- Day 5 (Final Day): Completion and submission of patent applications in the Intellectual Property Center’s system, marking the final step in the invention process.
Throughout the InnovAi course, participants registered over 120 patent applications, entering the examination and evaluation phase. Additionally, more than 160 professional technical drawings were designed and delivered, ensuring all projects were fully documented and uploaded by the course’s conclusion.
By the end of the program, participants became familiar with the next steps in the process, including membership in the International Federation of Inventors (IFIA) as “Inv. Member”, and continued advancing their applications to further develop and commercialize their ideas.
