The emergence of artificial intelligence in European regions: the role of a local ICT base

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate how a regional knowledge base of information and communication technologies (ICTs) influences the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in European regions. Relying on patent data and studying the knowledge production of AI technologies in 233 European regions in the period from 1994 to 2017, our study reveals three results. First, ICTs are a major knowledge source of AI technologies, and their importance has been increasing over time. Second, a regional knowledge base of ICTs is highly relevant for regions to engage in AI inventing. Third, the effects of a regional knowledge base of ICTs are stronger for regions that have recently caught up regarding AI inventing. Our findings suggest that ICTs play a critically enabling role for regions to diversify into AI technologies, especially for regions’ catching up in terms of AI inventing.