The Institutes of Science and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASISD), the National Science Library of CAS, and Clarivate today jointly released two reports, “2025 Research Fronts” and “Research Fronts 2025: Active Fields, Leading Countries/Regions,” at a forum held on December 3 in Beijing.

The release identified key global scientific trends and the escalating integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across research disciplines.

The forum attracted over 300 in-person attendees and garnered nearly 300,000 online viewers through live streaming, underscoring the broad interest in the identified research landscapes.

The "2025 Research Fronts" report pinpoints 128 research areas, including 110 "hot" fronts and 18 "emerging" fronts, spanning 11 broad scientific domains. These encompass agricultural science, botany and zoology; ecology and environmental science; geosciences; clinical medicine; biological sciences; chemistry and materials science; physics; astronomy and astrophysics; mathematics; information science; economics, psychology and multiple social science areas.

“The report raises new questions and challenges for the integrated development of science and technology, the economy, society, and various other fields,” said PAN Jiaofeng, President of CASISD.

"A new wave of scientific and technological revolution is underway, continuously reshaping the frontiers of research," PAN added. He highlighted that cutting-edge topics such as high-throughput single-cell technologies, dark matter detection, and the profound integration of AI into scientific research and engineering practices are garnering significant global attention.

The pervasive influence of AI is a prominent theme in this year's findings, with AI-related advancements featuring in over half of the 18 emerging research fronts. Specific examples include the application of AI language models like ChatGPT in medical and health fields, AI-driven breakthroughs in the structural prediction and design of biomolecular complexes within biological sciences, and the exploration of generative AI's practical applications and risk management in the business domain across economics, psychology, and social sciences.

WANG Dujin, Director General of the CAS Bureau of Academic Divisions, emphasized the Academy's ongoing commitment to insightful analysis and strategic foresight. “The Chinese Academy of Sciences will continue to enhance its understanding of current situations and conduct forward-looking analyses in science and technology. We will conduct more visionary, strategic, and preparatory research. We aim to take on greater responsibilities and achieve new milestones in promoting high-level self-reliance and advancement in science and technology. Our goal is to contribute to the establishment of a strong nation in these fields.”

Emmanuel Thiveaud, Senior Vice President, Academia & Government at Clarivate, highlighted the value of the collaboration. “Our annual Research Fronts report, produced once again with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, helps us to envision the future of sciences and social sciences by identifying the hottest and emerging research specialty areas.”

Analysis from the "Research Fronts 2025: Active Fields, Leading Countries/Regions" report reveals a global research landscape led by the United States, which ranks first in over 50 percent of the identified research fronts. China holds the second position, leading in more than 40 percent of the research areas.

China demonstrates distinct leadership in six key fields: agricultural, plant and animal sciences; ecology and environmental sciences; chemistry and materials science; physics; information science; and economics, psychology, and other social sciences. These areas reflect China's robust research foundations, active engagement with frontier exploration, and substantial academic influence.

The country also ranks second in geosciences, biological sciences, and mathematics, showing consistent overall progress. In clinical medicine and astronomy and astrophysics, China continues to ascend, now ranking among the world's top five. The report signifies a narrowing research gap between China and the U.S., with both nations collectively dominating the global research landscape. The United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada complete the top five leading countries/regions.

Since its inception in 2014, the Research Fronts series has continually refined its methodology and content. These reports serve as invaluable resources for the global scientific community, government agencies, and the public, offering comprehensive insights into evolving scientific and technological development trends worldwide.