Deriving technology indicators from corporate websites: a comparative assessment using patents

Abstract

This paper investigates the potential of indicators derived from corporate websites to measure technology related concepts. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology as a case in point, I construct a 24-year panel combining the texts of websites and patent portfolios for over 1,000 large companies. By identifying AI exposure with a comprehensive keyword set, I show that website and patent data are strongly related, suggesting that corporate websites constitute a promising data source to trace AI technologies.