The concept of the talent chain applies supply chain principles to human resources, treating talent as a vital resource to be sourced and deployed. Photo: TUCHONG

Today, rapid technological progress, escalating geopolitical tensions, and intensifying global trade competition are reshaping the global talent chain. In the past, many Asian students who went to study in Western countries tended to stay and work there after graduation. Increasingly, however, more are returning home or moving to other Asian nations with stronger growth potential to pursue further study or employment.

More diverse global talent flow

Rebecca Collie, an associate professor from the School of Education at the University of New South Wales in Australia, told CSST that compared with the well-known supply chain, research on the talent chain still has room for further exploration. Unlike the traditional supply chain, the talent chain is a dynamic ecosystem driven by people, skills, and potential, providing organizations with a vital and adaptive workforce. Some scholars refer to this concept as “talent supply-chain management,” viewing it as a strategic approach to acquiring, managing, and optimizing an organization’s workforce. The talent chain applies supply chain principles to human resources, treating talent as a key resource to be efficiently sourced, developed, and deployed.

Collie noted that whether the focus is on the talent chain or on talent supply-chain management, the object of study remains talent itself. According to the World Economic Forum report “Putting Talent at the Centre: An Evolving Imperative for Manufacturing,” productivity growth in developed economies has generally slowed, and 71% of US manufacturers are struggling to maintain workforce stability. Only companies that shift their mindset and regard talent as an investment rather than a cost possess the foundation for sustainable development.

Sean Kruger, a senior lecturer from the Centre for the Future of Work at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, expressed a similar view. He believes that today’s global competition for talent is reshaping the world order. Talent that once flowed unidirectionally to Western countries such as the United States is now gravitating toward other regions, including Asia. This emerging trend may foster a new balance in global innovation and even redefine the map of global influence. The US government’s frequently changing visa policies have discouraged skilled talent from heading there, eroding its appeal. Meanwhile, many Asian countries are actively launching a range of initiatives to attract top global talent—offering not only competitive pay and research funding but also support in housing and career advancement.

Rangan Banerjee, director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, also observed that global talent is shifting toward Asia, with mobility evolving from one-way to multidirectional. In his view, technology and geopolitics are the two main forces driving this transformation. Heightened geopolitical risks are giving Asian universities opportunities to take the lead in cultivating talent and addressing global challenges in areas such as AI and quantum technology. Using IIT Delhi as an example, he explained that 10 to 15 years ago, most of its top students aspired to pursue further studies in Europe or the United States. Today, however, only about 10% choose to study abroad, while the majority prefer to stay in India. The country now enjoys a dynamic atmosphere of innovation and entrepreneurship, and its start-up ecosystem is thriving.

Ya-Qin Zhang, chair professor of AI science and dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research at Tsinghua University, noted that global talent is increasingly tilting toward China. “25 years ago, many outstanding Chinese students chose to study in Western countries such as the United States and stayed there to work after graduation. Nowadays, many faculty members at Chinese universities pursue their PhDs in Western countries and regions but then return to China to continue their research. Moreover, a growing number of top Chinese students now prefer to remain in China for further study or research. For example, among the top 20% of students in Tsinghua University’s computer science program, 90% have chosen to stay in China, which is a remarkable shift. China’s top talent now stands at an international level. Now, China’s talent pool has reached internationally top levels; in the AI field alone, roughly 40% of the world’s academic papers are authored by researchers based in China,” he said.

Asia as new global talent hub

As Asia increasingly emerges as a global center for digital talent and innovation, tech companies in Beijing, Bangalore, and Tokyo are leading the world in innovation and vitality. Collie noted that 14 cities in the Asia-Pacific region rank among the world’s top 50 in technology. The region is rapidly becoming a gathering place for the next generation of tech professionals, particularly in AI, data science, and cybersecurity. Driven by surging demand for AI, the global technology talent landscape is becoming increasingly polarized: The number of AI-related jobs is growing, while traditional IT positions are contracting. In global venture-capital deal rankings, all of the top 10 cities are located in the Asia-Pacific region, with Beijing and Shanghai in China, and Bangalore and Hyderabad in India drawing investor attention. Japanese and South Korean cities are also on the rise, while Singapore—though smaller in scale—remains highly attractive to global talent thanks to its efficient, innovation-friendly ecosystem.

For the United States, the outflow of top global talent has already begun to erode its innovative edge and may in time endanger breakthroughs in areas such as AI, biotechnology, and clean technology. American universities, once regarded as the global gold standard, are losing some of their luster. Canay Ozden-Schilling, an assistant professor from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the National University of Singapore, noted that the influx of talent spurs innovation in key fields, and Asian universities are reaping tangible benefits. Globally, smoother talent mobility is fueling the rise of major innovation hubs across Asia.

Ozden-Schilling observed that the United States’ “defensive posture” toward global talent could easily leave it isolated in the global innovation race. As talent mobility accelerates, the world is undergoing profound change—the old belief that top talent would ultimately settle in Western countries such as the United States no longer holds true. In this new landscape of competition, the focus is no longer solely on who can build the fastest chip or develop the next-generation vaccine, but on where the world’s top talent chooses to work—and for whom.

Banerjee added that one reason Asia is more appealing to global talent than other regions is that many Asian countries have enacted comprehensive policy frameworks, developed supportive research environments, and created highly dynamic ecosystems. For instance, India has introduced initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, which aim to transform the country into a developed nation by 2047 and strengthen confidence in its technological industries. China, too, remains committed to independent innovation and has steadily built globally competitive technological capacities.

Banerjee emphasized that the relocation of more enterprises to Asia is key to retaining talent in the region. Many industries and multinational companies in India actively collaborate with universities to create opportunities for students, while a vibrant culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and research enables graduates to find jobs quickly and realize their potential.

Zhang added that major Chinese technology companies such as Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei are at the global forefront of their industries, offering abundant opportunities for high-level talent, while AI startups continue to attract skilled talent. China’s universities and enterprises can also offer highly competitive salaries, making it easier to attract and retain top talent.

Global cooperation remains essential

Nevertheless, Chinese students and their parents continue to value the experience of international exposure. “Collaborating with other international students and learning to integrate into diverse cultures are essential for building confidence, developing global perspectives, and fostering foresight. These interactions and exchanges are profoundly meaningful,” Zhang said.

Is the current shift in global talent flow a short-term phenomenon or representative of structural change? Banerjee believes the key lies in formulating relevant policies to ensure the trend endures. In his view, the impact will be long-term. Uncertainty in many areas of the United States continues to grow, affecting the mindset of international students applying to American universities. Students are reluctant to spend years studying overseas only to worry that their studies could be severely disrupted. Meanwhile, an increasing number of countries and regions outside the United States now offer high-quality options that better align with students’ expectations and make it easier for them to fulfil their aspirations.