Asian AI research and global health – An article by Leo Schmallenbach and Marc Lerchenmüller in Open Access Government
Asian AI research and global health – An article by Leo Schmallenbach and Marc Lerchenmüller in Open Access Government
The global market value of AI in healthcare is expected to reach $34.5 billion by 2027—an eightfold growth compared to 2020, as reported in The Economist.
In a contribution to Open Access Government, Prof. Dr. Marc J. Lerchenmüller, Assistant Professor of Technological Innovation & Management Science, and Dr. Leo Schmallenbach, Assistant Professor at the Chair of Organization and Innovation, show that Asia has become a global powerhouse in AI research within the life sciences.
China as the driving force
Between 2000 and 2022, China accounted for more than half of all Asian publications in this field. In 2020, the country surpassed the United States in annual research output for the first time. Together, China and the US are responsible for approximately 44% of all global publications on AI in the life sciences.
This strong position is partly the result of large-scale investments in AI research and infrastructure, including China's ambition to be the global leader in AI innovation by 2030.
Impact requires international collaboration
The research also highlights an important point for attention. Based on an analysis of nearly 400,000 publications and 14.5 million citations, the authors conclude that international collaboration leads to greater impact.
Studies with international co-authors:
- receive an average of 21% more citations,
- are published more often in leading journals,
- and therefore have more influence on scientific and clinical practice.
It is striking that only 16% of Asian publications have international co-authors, which is lower than in Europe and other regions. This presents an important opportunity to further increase the global influence of Asian AI research.
Collaborating for better global healthcare
AI solutions in healthcare must be tailored to diverse populations and healthcare systems. Without international knowledge exchange, there is a risk that innovations will not take sufficient account of local contexts and will increase inequalities.
The conclusion is clear: Asia plays a leading role in AI research in the life sciences. But to realize the promise of AI worldwide, international collaboration is crucial.