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China Overtakes U.S. as Top Workplace for Elite AI Researchers

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 2:10 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

China overtook the United States as the top workplace for elite AI researchers in 2025.
Elite AI researchers in China comprised 41 % of the pool, versus 34 % in the United States.
57 % of elite AI researchers earned undergraduate degrees in China, compared with 13 % in the United States.
Peking University and Tsinghua ranked first and second among institutions attracting elite AI talent, with KAIST third.

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Story summary

China overtook the United States as the top workplace for elite AI researchers in 2025.
Elite AI researchers in China comprised 41 % of the pool, versus 34 % in the United States.
57 % of elite AI researchers earned undergraduate degrees in China, compared with 13 % in the United States.
Peking University and Tsinghua ranked first and second among institutions attracting elite AI talent, with KAIST third.