China's share of elite AI talent rose to 40.6% in 2025, exceeding the 34.2% share held by the US. A Carnegie China analysis shows that China expanded its portion of the top-tier talent pool from 27.1% in 2022, while the US share declined from 46.4% in the same period.

The findings, highlighted by Claudia Chong of The Information, identify China as the new primary destination for the world's most skilled AI researchers. The data documents a reversal in the concentration of expert AI personnel between the two nations over a three year period.