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A recent study has examined the global influence of leading AI-research cities, tracking Beijing's influence on AI research. The study used the Microsoft Academic Graph (MAG) dataset to analyze more than two million AI papers published over decades. The study found that Beijing has been the most productive city since 2002, the most impactful since 2007, and the city with the largest AI workforce for more than two decades. Beijing is also the city that connects more AI knowledge and human capital through migration and collaborations between East and West. The study also revealed that Beijing is the largest bridge between East and West, with its betweenness being far greater than any other city, regardless of the network under consideration. The study suggests that size matters for AI research productivity and influence, and that a simple policy should incentivize more local scientists, their communities, and employer organizations to engage in rigorous AI publication. The study also highlights the importance of more research to build bridges between cities in the West and the East, and the need for the U.S. to find ways to contribute and benefit from the opportunities emerging in other countries. The U.S. National Artificial Intelligence R&D Strategic Plan has recognized the importance of establishing a principled and coordinated approach to international collaboration in AI research. The study also emphasizes the need for better understanding of AI ethics, standards, and socio-economic implications, and the importance of opening discussions with antagonistic countries.
