Chinese AI Researchers in US Outnumber US Counterparts in China 30 to 1

A new study analyzing NeurIPS 2025 authors reveals a significant imbalance in AI researcher mobility. For every 30 Chinese-origin AI researchers working in the United States, only one US-trained researcher works in China. China now produces over half of the world's elite AI talent and is retaining more of it domestically. Meanwhile, Singapore and South Korea are becoming increasingly attractive destinations. Experts warn this trend indicates a slow erosion of the United States' ability to attract and retain global scientific talent.