China Leads in AI Research Impact, Says Elsevier Report

According to a recent research report, scientists in China demonstrate higher confidence and more effective application of artificial intelligence in their work compared to their international counterparts.

Chinese researchers widely recognize the efficiency and innovative potential of AI and foresee deeper integration of these technologies into their future projects, based on findings from a joint survey conducted by a prominent Dutch scientific publisher and a Chinese scientific research organization.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 3,200 researchers across 113 countries, revealed that 68% of Chinese respondents believe AI tools expand their options, in contrast to just 29% in the United States and 26% in the United Kingdom.

When asked whether AI can empower scientific research, 64% of Chinese scientists agreed, compared to only 25% in the US and 24% in the UK.

Regarding AI’s role in saving time during research, 79% of Chinese respondents saw it as effective, whereas 54% in the US and 57% in the UK shared this view. Additionally, 60% of Chinese researchers consider AI capable of improving research quality, while only 22% in the US and 17% in the UK felt the same.

Moreover, nearly half of Chinese researchers—49%—believe AI can speed up scientific breakthroughs, a sentiment shared by 30% in the US and 26% in the UK.

A notable insight from the survey is that Chinese scientists adopt a pragmatic approach towards AI, placing greater importance on practical applications and social impacts of their work.

The data further indicates that 58% of researchers globally incorporate AI tools into their work, a significant increase from 37% last year. Chinese scientists are particularly prominent in employing AI effectively for data analysis, drafting academic papers, and preparing project proposals.

The report also highlights common issues faced by researchers worldwide, with only 45% indicating they have sufficient time for research activities. Furthermore, just 33% anticipate increased funding in their respective fields over the next two to three years, with particularly low optimism in North America and Europe.

Additionally, 68% report feeling a greater pressure to publish compared to two or three years ago. Despite these challenges, the overall dedication to research integrity remains high, with 74% recognizing peer review as a vital process for ensuring quality and credibility.