AI leads, cybersecurity follows: unveiling research priorities in Sustainable Development Goal-relevant technologies across nations

Abstract

This study presents a global analysis of research priorities for technologies relevant to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We examine 18 technological domains across countries, introducing a novel within-country rank metric to normalize differences in research output. Using a combination of linear regression and K-means cluster analysis, we identify factors influencing overall productivity and reveal distinct patterns in research priorities among nations. Our analysis of Web of Science total publication data yields five country clusters with specific technological focus areas: Eco-Tech Innovators, Cyber-Digital Architects, Bio-Industrial Pioneers, Geo-Data Security Analysts, and Cyber-Sustainable Integrators. We find that while economic indicators strongly predict overall research productivity, countries with similar economic profiles often exhibit divergent research priorities. Artificial Intelligence emerges as a top priority across all clusters, while areas such as blockchain and digital twins show lower prioritization despite their theoretical importance. Our findings reveal unexpected similarities in research focus among geopolitically diverse countries and highlight regional patterns in technological emphasis. This study offers valuable information for policymakers and researchers, enhancing our understanding of the global landscape of SDG-relevant technological research and potential avenues for international collaboration.