China is leading global artificial intelligence research, surpassing other countries in both volume and influence. AI is increasingly viewed as a strategic asset similar to energy or military power, heightening its geopolitical importance. This shift is detailed in a recent report from Digital Science, based on data from Dimensions, the largest global research ecosystem database.
The report tracks AI research from 2000 to 2024, showing a surge from under 10,000 publications in 2000 to 60,000 in 2024. It highlights China's growing dominance in research output, citations, and innovation, signaling a significant shift in the AI research landscape.
Key Findings
- China’s dominance: China leads in AI research volume, citation influence, and innovation, widening its lead over the past seven years.
- Start-up activity: The US maintains the strongest AI start-up ecosystem, but China is closing the gap quickly. In 2024, China’s AI publication output equaled the combined output of the US, UK, and EU-27.
- Collaboration trends: Despite geopolitical tensions, China is the top collaborator for the US, UK, and EU in AI research, while relying less on reciprocal partnerships.
- Talent pool: China’s AI workforce is vast, with 30,000 active researchers and a large student and postdoctoral population.
- EU’s position: The European Union benefits from strong internal collaboration but faces challenges in international outreach and translating research into patents and products.
- Patent leadership: China dominates AI-related patent filings and company-affiliated research, outpacing the US by a factor of ten in some areas.
AI is no longer a neutral field; governments are treating it as a critical strategic resource. China’s rapid expansion in AI research capacity is supported by a broad network of institutions—156 published over 50 AI papers each in 2024—creating a nationwide ecosystem rather than isolated hubs.
China’s AI workforce is young and growing, positioning the country for sustained innovation. A clear example is the release of the DeepSeek chatbot earlier this year. This open-source large language model (LLM) represents a milestone in China’s technological independence, especially amid US chip export restrictions.
The US, UK, and EU in Context
The US continues to lead in AI startups and innovation ecosystems, but China’s rapid advancement challenges this position. The UK, though smaller in scale, achieves high impact relative to its size. Meanwhile, the EU faces risks due to weaker international collaboration and difficulties converting research into practical applications such as patents.
For researchers and professionals in science and technology sectors, these trends highlight the shifting dynamics of AI research powerhouses. Staying informed about these developments can provide strategic insight into global research collaboration and innovation priorities.
Explore more about AI research trends and strategic implications in the full report: DeepSeek and the New Geopolitics of AI: China’s ascent to research pre-eminence in AI.
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