Singapore Universities Shine in Global AI Rankings

Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have secured top positions in the latest global rankings for Artificial Intelligence (AI), showcasing the region's advanced educational and research capabilities. NTU maintained its second global position, while NUS climbed four spots to fifth in the 2026–2027 U.S. News Best Global Universities subject rankings for AI. The rankings evaluated 2,250 universities worldwide, including institutions that published at least 200 AI research papers between 2020 and 2024. Singapore, already recognized as the world's second-richest country by GDP per capita in 2025, has cemented its status as a leader in AI research within Southeast Asia. Malaysia was the only other Southeast Asian nation represented, with four universities ranking between 165th and 241st globally. Notably, the top 10 AI universities were dominated by China, with eight institutions, led by Tsinghua University at number one. The Chinese University of Hong Kong also made it into the top 10 at ninth place. No U.S. or European universities featured in the global top 10 for AI. Beyond AI, NTU also ranked first globally in electrical and electronic engineering, second in engineering, third in condensed matter physics, and fourth in computer science. NUS demonstrated strength across multiple disciplines, ranking first in optics, third in chemistry, fifth in materials science, and sixth in computer science. In the overall Best Global Universities rankings, NUS was placed second in Asia and 16th worldwide, with NTU ranking fourth in Asia and 27th globally, highlighting their comprehensive academic excellence. While Vietnam is actively investing in advanced technologies like AI and aiming to elevate its domestic universities' research standards, it is not yet represented in these top global AI rankings. The success of Singapore's institutions serves as a benchmark for Vietnam's future aspirations in international academic standing.