More elite AI researchers now work in China than in the US, study finds
Summary
A Carnegie China study of NeurIPS 2025 authors reveals that China has overtaken the United States as the leading country for elite AI talent. In 2025, 41% of top researchers worked in China, while 34% were based in the US, marking a significant shift from 2022 when the US led with 46% to 27%.
Key Findings
- Geographical Shift: China now accounts for the largest share of elite AI talent, with 57% having obtained their first degree there.
- Workplace Trends: Peking University and Tsinghua University top the list of workplaces, while Europe's ETH Zurich and University of Oxford have dropped out of the rankings.
- Visa and Share Issues: The US tightens visa rules for Chinese graduate students, while China offers shares to retain engineers in AI and chip firms.
Methodology
Damien Ma and Binyi Yang analyzed researchers with papers accepted at NeurIPS 2025, using OpenReview data. They traced career histories of over 10,000 authors, employing AI coding tools with human checks.
Quote
"More Chinese researchers are staying at home... It also pointed to tighter US visa rules, especially for Chinese graduate students in science."
By Alina Maria Stan
Alina Maria Stan is a co-founder and COO of Tekpon, shaping SaaS discovery and adoption. Her diverse background includes leadership roles in various industries, contributing to her unique perspective on building connections and driving growth.