This study examines the geographical distribution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) research production across European regions at the NUTS-3 level for the period 2015-2024. Using bibliometric data from Clarivate InCites and the Citation Topics classification system, we analyze two hierarchical levels of thematic aggregation: Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Computer Science (Macro Citation Topic 4) and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (Meso Citation Topic 4.61). We calculate the Relative Specialization Index (RSI) and Relative Citation Impact (RCI) for 781 NUTS-3 regions. While major metropolitan hubs such as Paris (IIle-de-France), Warszawa, and Madrid lead in absolute production volume, our findings reveal that peripheral regions, particularly from Eastern Europe and Spain, exhibit the highest levels of relative AI specialization. Notably, we find virtually no correlation between regional specialization and citation impact, identifying four distinct regional profiles: high-impact specialized regions (e.g., Granada, Jaen, Vilniaus), high-volume but low-impact regions (e.g., Bugas, several Polish regions), high-impact non-specialized regions, with Fyn (Denmark) standing out as a remarkable outlier achieving exceptional citation impact (RCI > 4) despite low specialization, and diversified portfolios with selective excellence (e.g., German regions). These results suggest that AI research represents a strategic opportunity for peripheral regions to develop competitive scientific niches, though achieving international visibility requires more than research volume alone.

翻译：本研究考察了2015-2024年间人工智能（AI）研究成果在欧洲NUTS-3级别区域的地理分布。利用科睿唯安InCites的文献计量数据及引文主题分类系统，我们分析了两个层次的主题聚合：电气工程、电子与计算机科学（宏观引文主题4）以及人工智能与机器学习（中观引文主题4.61）。我们计算了781个NUTS-3区域的相对专业化指数（RSI）和相对被引影响力（RCI）。尽管巴黎（法兰西岛）、华沙和马德里等主要大都市枢纽在绝对产出量上领先，但我们的研究结果表明，边缘地区，特别是来自东欧和西班牙的区域，表现出最高水平的相对人工智能专业化。值得注意的是，我们发现区域专业化程度与被引影响力之间几乎不存在相关性，并识别出四种不同的区域类型：高影响力专业化区域（例如格拉纳达、哈恩、维尔纽斯）；高产低影响力区域（例如布加斯及若干波兰区域）；高影响力非专业化区域，其中丹麦菲英地区表现尤为突出，尽管专业化程度低却取得了卓越的被引影响力（RCI > 4）；以及具备选择性优势的多元化组合区域（例如德国部分地区）。这些结果表明，人工智能研究为边缘地区提供了发展具有竞争力的科学利基的战略机遇，但实现国际可见度仅靠研究产出量是远远不够的。