AI as a Key Driver of Technological Revolution: A Global Race for Talent
AI has emerged as a central force in the latest technological revolution, sparking intense competition among nations. This competition primarily revolves around talent quantity and quality, emphasizing the capacity for talent培养and accumulation.
Globally, over 40% of countries have formulated or are in the process of releasing AI strategies and industrial plans, recognizing talent development and recruitment as strategic priorities. Universities in 45 countries offer AI programs, with the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom accounting for 31.9%, 10.4%, and 8.0% of the global presence, respectively. While Japan has a lower number of AI programs, it has seen rapid growth in AI engineering and data engineering research personnel.
Nations are leveraging their strengths to enhance AI education and boost talent, actively positioning themselves to dominate global AI technology.
United States: Fostering Diversity in AI Talent Development
As a global technological powerhouse, the United States maintains a leading position in AI, machine learning, and cloud computing. To sustain its dominance, the U.S. government designated AI development as a national priority in 2016. Several policy documents, including the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan and the White House AI Initiative, place a strong focus on AI talent development, aiming to cultivate a diverse workforce in the field.
Establishing Collaborative Mechanisms and Promoting Interdisciplinary Training
The U.S. government has strengthened top-level design for AI talent development, fostering collaboration across agencies and disciplines. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) established the Artificial Intelligence Special Committee, the Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Committee, and the AI R&D Interagency Working Group to coordinate with academia, industry, and stakeholders on talent development initiatives.
In 2023, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and other federal agencies collaborated with universities and corporations to launch seven National AI Research Institutes. The Department of Energy formed the Office of Critical and Emerging Technologies, bringing together 17 national laboratories and numerous university research centers to facilitate cross-disciplinary AI collaborations. In 2024, the U.S. government founded the AI Safety Research Alliance (AISIC), convening experts from industry, academia, government, research institutes, and nonprofits to promote the development and deployment of safe and reliable AI systems.
Integrating AI into the National Education System
The White House's National AI Research and Development Strategic Plans of 2016, 2019, and 2023 emphasize fostering a conducive environment for AI researchers and building a skilled AI workforce. The 2023 update calls for developing AI curricula at all levels, supporting educators in the field, upskilling and reskilling the labor force, exploring multidisciplinary learning, attracting global talent, and strengthening federal AI talent reserves.
The 2019 roadmap by the Computing Community Consortium (CCC) and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) recommends creating AI courses for all educational levels, providing graduate fellowships and talent retention programs, encouraging interdisciplinary AI research, and supporting open AI platforms to train versatile workforces.
The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) proposed curriculum reforms, including mandatory high school courses in statistics and computer science fundamentals, in their 2021 Final Report. The U.S. is also investing in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education from kindergarten through 12th grade, funding after-school and summer programs, and strengthening STEM and AI teacher recruitment and training.
Enhancing Digital Literacy through Formal and Informal Training
The AAAI and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) launched the AI4K-12 Working Group in 2018, developing national AI teaching guidelines and an open community for sharing resources. Non-profit organizations like AI4ALL offer free online courses, aiming to make AI accessible to underrepresented groups, such as low-income students.
The 2019 roadmap and the National AI Research and Development Strategic Plans encourage inclusive participation in AI learning, proposing shared datasets and environments for broader research. In 2021, the U.S. government established the Digital Service Corps to train government employees in digital technologies and expand digital talent recruitment. The Digital Services Academy was also formed to develop digital professionals for federal agencies. The Department of Homeland Security is hiring 50 AI experts to establish an "AI Team" dedicated to training and project development in AI.
The United Kingdom, the birthplace of AI pioneer Alan Turing, is a global hub for AI technology and talent. Since 2017, the UK has spearheaded the development of the AI industry with strategic initiatives at the industry and national levels. The government has released various policy documents, including the "AI Sector Deal," "AI Roadmap," and "National AI Strategy," to bolster AI talent development, establishing the UK as a global AI powerhouse.
In 2017, the UK government's "Growing the Artificial Intelligence Industry in the UK" report outlined a strategy to integrate higher education with AI technology. Key recommendations included establishing 200 AI PhD positions at leading universities, industry sponsorships for at least 300 AI Master's students annually, and encouraging candidates from diverse backgrounds to pursue AI. Universities were also encouraged to offer online AI courses and continuing professional development to equip STEM graduates with AI knowledge. Initiatives such as the national Alan Turing Institute and the EPSRC AI Centre collaborate with institutions like STFC, JISC, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL, fostering a collective focus on AI research and training.
In 2017, the UK government pledged £200 million to establish new institutes of technology, providing high-level AI training. Additionally, £270 million was allocated to support AI research by UK universities and businesses in sectors such as oil extraction, nuclear energy, and space. In 2018, the government announced a £1 billion investment in the AI ecosystem through the "AI Sector Deal," aiming to attract more talent, businesses, and research institutions to advance AI innovation and commercial applications. The 2021 "National AI Strategy" allocated over £1 billion to support AI training and development, establishing a National AI Research and Innovation Programme to facilitate coordination and collaboration among researchers. Initiatives like the Office for AI (OAI) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) encourage research focused on AI applications in areas such as energy and agriculture. In early 2024, the government announced a £90 million investment in nine new AI research centres, prioritizing AI research applications in healthcare, chemistry, and mathematics.
Germany began developing AI in the 1970s, establishing the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in 1988, one of the largest non-profit AI research institutions globally. In 2014, Germany integrated AI into its national strategy, and in 2018, it launched the Federal Government's AI Strategy, emphasizing education and professional training.
In 2016, the German Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) released their "Education in the Digital World" strategy, recognizing education as crucial for AI advancement. With federal government support, Germany has developed a comprehensive AI curriculum for primary and secondary schools. In 2021, the federal government issued a "Joint Federal-State Guideline for the Promotion of AI in Higher Education," integrating AI knowledge and technology into university research and curricula. Universities are encouraged to leverage AI technologies to improve teaching quality.
The "Federal Government's AI Strategy," released in 2018 and updated in 2020, emphasizes developing academic and vocational AI talent. Key measures include increased funding for young researchers, providing competitive conditions for international doctoral candidates and postdoctoral fellows. The "Excellence Strategy" and "Tenure-Track Programme" create new AI professorships and offer higher salaries to attract top talent. AI challenges, awards like the "AI Made in Germany," and funding for higher education digitalization through AI and big data foster academic AI training. Online AI skill-building platforms, innovative challenges for digital vocational education, and digital continuing education spaces support vocational training.
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has financed the establishment of six AI research centres. From July 2022, the federal government and state governments will allocate €50 million annually to the Berlin Institute for Learning and Data (BIFOLD), Munich Center for Machine Learning (MCML), Rhine-Ruhr Centre for Machine Learning Competence (ML2R), and ScaDS – Dresden/Leipzig Center for Scalable Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. These centres will nurture and attract AI professionals, accelerating AI research and application. The DFKI receives €11 million annually from the BMBF. The six centres form the German AI network, facilitating knowledge exchange among researchers. In 2022, the BMBF announced plans to invest €24 million in three Konrad Zuse AI Schools at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Technical University of Dresden, and Technical University of Munich and their partners. The schools aim to strengthen AI Master's and PhD programs, attracting global AI talent. Japan: Establishing a Multi-Tiered Education System for AI
Japan has emerged as a global leader in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, showcasing advancements in AI healthcare, intelligent robotics in industries, and AI chip manufacturing. The country's national science and technology policy first incorporated AI in 2015, and in 2017, it launched a national strategy to drive its development. Japan's AI strategy prioritizes an education model that combines mathematical sciences, data science, and AI, emphasizing multi-tiered, interdisciplinary talent development.
Building a Multi-Tiered AI Talent Training System
In 2017, the Japanese government unveiled its "AI Technology Strategy," outlining key measures and strategies for talent development. In 2019, they released the "AI Strategy 2019," establishing a multi-tiered talent training system encompassing general literacy education, applied foundational education, and expert-level training. General literacy programs require students in primary and secondary schools, adult education, and junior college and university students to acquire basic AI knowledge through coursework. Applied foundational education emphasizes the examination and identification of university applicants demonstrating strong mathematical, data handling, and AI application fundamentals. Universities and junior colleges provide applied foundational courses in these disciplines. Expert-level AI education focuses on fostering collaboration between academia and industries, attracting and developing outstanding engineers, AI researchers, and specialists in mathematics and informatics.
In 2022, the "AI Strategy 2022" was introduced, proposing mathematical sciences, data science, and AI education as foundational components of "Society 5.0." It reinforces mathematical sciences from the early education stage and enhances ICT infrastructure across all levels, aiming to improve students' mathematical application skills. Japan plans to develop 250,000 professionals in data science and AI yearly, identifying and fostering 2,000 innovative talents in these fields and nurturing 100 global leaders. Additionally, 1 million professionals will undergo on-the-job training on AI annually. The "Integrated Innovation Strategy 2023" further emphasizes education and talent development for "Society 5.0," promoting exploratory education, STEM education, and entrepreneurship education, and supporting reforms in universities and colleges. It includes a 5-year, ¥10 trillion human capital investment plan, encouraging retraining initiatives in companies and universities.
Industry, Academia, and Research Collaboration in Fostering AI Talent
In 2015 and 2016, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the RIKEN Institute, in collaboration with businesses, established the AI Research Center (AIRC) and the Artificial Intelligence Integrated Research Center (AIP), respectively. These centers recruit and concentrate top AI specialists in Japan, facilitating research and development in the field. The "AI Strategy 2019" promotes public-private partnerships for AI advancement, aspiring to create world-class AI research hubs and attracting high-caliber researchers from around the globe. The "AI Strategy 2022" proposes developing a globalized network for AI research and education and establishing AI research hubs to attract global talent and develop cutting-edge AI technologies.
In 2020, the University of Tokyo and SoftBank established the Beyond AI Institute, aiming to recruit 150 researchers in AI-related fields from the university and globally. They conduct fundamental and applied research in AI. In 2021, Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) introduced the "Mathematics, Data Science, AI Higher Education Accreditation Program" (MDASH) to encourage universities and colleges to offer AI courses and develop AI talent development plans. It promotes industry-academia partnerships, focusing on developing advanced and applied talents. The "Integrated Innovation Strategy 2023" proposes developing long-term roadmaps for regional public-private cooperation, promoting industry-academia partnerships in regional core and specialized universities, and establishing core bases for talent cultivation.
