In the United States, foreign students in STEM-related fields lead companies devoted to solving real-world problems through machine learning and artificial intelligence.
In the United States, foreign students in STEM-related fields lead companies devoted to solving real-world problems through machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Besides contributing to a country’s soft power, international students are contributing to the global economic growth as they blaze the trail in the technology scene. In a recent analysis, results show that almost 50 percent of the leading U.S.-based AI companies had a founder who once was a foreign student enrolled at an American institution.
The analysis also revealed that almost 80 percent of the top AI companies in the US. were led–either founded or co-founded–by immigrants or children of immigrants. The analysis was done by the National Foundation for American Policy.
Around 43 U.S.-based companies that were listed on Forbes AI 50 participated in the National Foundation for American Policy analysis. The Forbes AI 50 is a list of companies in the US that are making waves in “developing the most promising business applications of artificial intelligence.” These companies are not only recognized for having promising visions–they are also deemed successful in delivering AI-rich products and services due to their tech resources and talent.
Further figures in the NFAP analysis show that international students comprise about 70 percent of the full-time graduate students at U.S. higher education institutions in certain AI-related fields. Other figures from NFAP further prove the significant contribution of international students in AI-related STEM:
The NFAP analysis underscores a crucial reality–opening opportunities for international students in STEM to study and work in the US can drive further growth in the US’s AI and high-tech landscape. For instance, helping foreign students gain ease of access to H-1B visas may play a big role in growing the AI scene in the U.S.
