US, China Lead Global AI Talent, Hong Kong Serves as Key Connector

The United States and China dominate the global artificial intelligence talent pool, accounting for over half of AI professionals worldwide, with the US holding 32.6% and China 24.4%. Hong Kong plays a significant role as a 'superconnector,' linking mainland China to the international market and benefiting from proximity to the Greater Bay Area's talent pool and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key player in AI talent cultivation in the Middle East, with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology ranked among the top 150 globally, supported by substantial domestic investments and initiatives like the '10,000 Coders' program. Saudi Arabia also offers some of the highest salaries for AI talent globally and integrates AI as a core pillar of its Vision 2030 economic transformation, with significant funding directed towards AI infrastructure and projects such as the NEOM smart city. In Hong Kong, government officials have addressed concerns about mainland Chinese residents exploiting talent admission schemes by having children in the city, emphasizing that such actions without employment intentions violate the law. These developments reflect the competitive and strategic global landscape of AI talent cultivation and mobility, with regions leveraging unique assets and policies to attract and retain skilled professionals.