AI in Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) is not just about using ChatGPT to summarise emails. Browsing the web for papers on the application of AI in technology transfer, I came across my own publication with DUZ Verlag:
https://www.duz-open.de/de/publikationen/bessere-leistung-durch-ki/
Revisiting the maturity model mapping out the journey…
The Six Stages of AI Maturity in Technology Transfer
• Stage 0: Basic use of Language Models (LLMs) for text/translation
• Stage 1: Specialised tools (like NotebookLM) for monitoring
• Stage 2: Custom AI Agents that screen and evaluate patents
• Stage 3: Multi-Agent Systems automating end-to-end workflows
• Stage 4: The “Transfer Office in a Box” – nearly full automation
• Stage 5: Networked TTO Ecosystems sharing data
• Stage 6: A fully fused innovation network where industry and research merge seamlessly
… I realised that most TTOs today are still stuck at Stage 0 — and some may even claim to be at Stage -1. Where does your organisation stand today? It is time to move beyond the basics.
Why This Model Still Matters
My article outlines the six-stage development model proposed for integrating Artificial Intelligence into technology transfer offices. It moves from the ad‑hoc use of basic tools (Stage 0) through to the implementation of specialised AI agents and multi-agent systems that handle complex workflows.
The concept culminates in a visionary Stage 6, where transfer managers act as “innovation conductors” within a fully automated, real-time ecosystem. The goal is to help professionals identify their current technological maturity and visualise the roadmap ahead.
Nine Months Later: Is the Vision Still Achievable?
As I stand here almost nine months after originally writing that document, I wonder if this goal is still achievable — or even worth pursuing — for the average technology transfer office.
What sort of investment is necessary in:
- capacity building
- systems
- data procurement
- integration
- and strategy
…to move swiftly along that path?
A New LinkedIn Series
I will start a series of articles on LinkedIn where I walk myself through that process. Hopefully this will be helpful to other technology transfer managers in Europe as they reflect on their expectations for applying AI to KTT — especially given the current technical capabilities and the vertigo-inducing pace of change fuelled by massive venture capital investments and even geopolitical interests.
I hope this will be an exciting ride and I’m curious to see where it takes me next.