The International Finance Forum is excited to announce the upcoming release of Part Two of its landmark Global Artificial Intelligence Competitiveness Index, titled Analyzing AI Competitiveness from the Research Innovation Perspective. This report is the second of a five-part series that examines AI developments worldwide, providing an in-depth analysis of global research trends, innovation, and contributions in AI.

The findings, compiled by the IFF’s AI Committee, which includes Committee Coordinator Patrick Glauner of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology, IFF data analyst Zhou Jian, and Dmitry Kaminskiy, co-founder of Deep Knowledge Group, are set to be unveiled globally later this month.

The Global AI Competitiveness Index Part Two provides a comprehensive analysis of the global AI research landscape. By analyzing over 2 million AI-related scientific research papers and patents around the world, the study reveals how countries are leveraging their unique strengths to advance AI innovation. It also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, government support, and industry partnerships in driving AI research forward.

Patrick Glauner emphasized the importance of considering the specific regulatory environments that impact AI research across different countries. “Our analysis takes into account the unique national frameworks, intellectual property regulations, and the varying degrees of academic freedom that influence AI innovation. These factors play a significant role in shaping the direction and pace of research in each region.”

Dmitry Kaminskiy echoed this sentiment, adding, “In addition to traditional metrics, we’ve placed a strong focus on the human factor—the researchers driving AI forward. We’ve also identified emerging regions where AI activity is rapidly expanding, helping us spot future hotspots of AI research and innovation.”

Key findings of the report include:

1.      China's Dominance in AI Research Output
China has emerged as the world leader in AI research, with an astounding 769,000 AI-related scientific papers published to date, nearly double that of the US, which ranks second.

2.      Research Density: Singapore, Switzerland, and the UK Lead
When assessing research density—measured as the number of AI papers per million people—countries such as Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Australia stand out.

3.      AI Research Impact
While quantity is important, the impact and quality of research are paramount. Switzerland and Canada top the global rankings in terms of research impact, reflecting their production of highly cited papers in prestigious journals.

4.      AI Research Themes: Diverse Regional Strengths
The report highlights key AI research themes, with China and the US focusing heavily on computer science and engineering. Germany stands out in medical AI research, particularly in medical imaging and neuroscience. France's strength lies in mathematics, while Italy excels in instrumentation-related AI research. These findings show how different countries leverage their unique strengths to shape the global AI landscape.

5.      Global AI Patent Landscape
The study also explores AI-related patents, revealing that China and the US dominate the patent landscape. The report underscores how AI patents in these countries are often application-driven, with China focusing on areas such as speech recognition and image processing, while the US leads in foundational and intermediate AI technologies.

6.      International Collaboration on the Rise
 International collaboration remains a critical component of AI research, with Chinese scholars emerging as the most frequent collaborators for researchers in the US, France, and Germany. This trend reflects China's growing integration into the global AI research community and its increasing involvement in collaborative research efforts.

The report includes detailed case studies of some of the most influential AI research institutions, providing insights into their strategies and contributions to global AI advancements. Two standout examples include:

·       Chinese Academy of Sciences: CAS plays a pivotal role in China’s AI strategy, benefiting from strong government support and cross-disciplinary collaboration. CAS has led the charge in integrating AI into fundamental sciences, including quantum computing and protein structure prediction, and has developed cutting-edge AI chips, such as the "Cambricon" series.

·       University of California: One of the world’s leading academic research networks, the University of California has made significant contributions in areas like computer vision, robotics, and AI ethics. The university’s close ties to Silicon Valley ensure its continued leadership in both research and talent development.

The global AI landscape is evolving rapidly, and this report is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to stay on top of the latest trends, breakthroughs, and regional innovations. As AI continues to shape the future of industries, technologies, and societies, the Global AI Competitiveness Index is an essential tool for understanding the forces driving progress.