Abstract
Rapid growth in AI research has increased the need to understand its development across Europe, particularly at the intersection of economics and finance. This paper identifies the main European knowledge hubs in this area and examines whether countries follow different patterns of thematic specialisation. Using OpenAlex metadata for 2000–2025, it analyses publications by researchers affiliated with European universities through fractional counting, citation-weighted indicators, and topic modelling, identifying 12 latent topics. The results reveal strong publication growth, a hierarchical but increasingly multipolar geography of knowledge, and national specialisations. Countries’ competitive positions depend not only on research output, but also on the internationalisation and network integration of their scientific systems.
Paper Type
Poster
DOI
10.62036/ISD.2026.103
The geography of AI research in economics and finance: knowledge hubs and specialisation patterns shaping European competitiveness
Rapid growth in AI research has increased the need to understand its development across Europe, particularly at the intersection of economics and finance. This paper identifies the main European knowledge hubs in this area and examines whether countries follow different patterns of thematic specialisation. Using OpenAlex metadata for 2000–2025, it analyses publications by researchers affiliated with European universities through fractional counting, citation-weighted indicators, and topic modelling, identifying 12 latent topics. The results reveal strong publication growth, a hierarchical but increasingly multipolar geography of knowledge, and national specialisations. Countries’ competitive positions depend not only on research output, but also on the internationalisation and network integration of their scientific systems.
Recommended Citation
Mierzejewski, M.M., Ociepa-Kicińska, E. & Palimąka, K.(2026). The geography of AI research in economics and finance: knowledge hubs and specialisation patterns shaping European competitiveness. In M. Valenta, B. Mannová, R. Pergl, A. Przybylek, M. Lang, H. Linger, C. Schneider, N. Iivari, & E. Insfran (Eds.), Making ISD Sustainable: Reloaded with AI and Automation (ISD2026 Proceedings). Prague, Czech Republic: Czech Technical University in Prague. ISBN: 978-80-01-07585-2. https://doi.org/10.62036/ISD.2026.103