In contrast to the apparent exponential growth in AI conference attendees, the number of AI publications since 2013 has grown quadratically (data from the Standford HAI 2025 AI Index Report). Quadratic growth in publications suggests that a linearly (constantly) increasing number of researchers are producing publications at a linear (constant) rate. Extrapolating a little, this growth rate suggests there will be 3.7M cumulative publications by 2030 (since 2013).
If the AI researcher growth rate is linear, the exponential growth of AI conference attendees might be due to increased industry presence. Also, it’s possible that the attendee growth rate is also quadratic.
In contrast to the apparent exponential growth in AI conference attendees, the number of AI publications since 2013 has grown quadratically (data from the Standford HAI 2025 AI Index Report). Quadratic growth in publications suggests that a linearly (constantly) increasing number of researchers are producing publications at a linear (constant) rate. Extrapolating a little, this growth rate suggests there will be 3.7M cumulative publications by 2030 (since 2013).
If the AI researcher growth rate is linear, the exponential growth of AI conference attendees might be due to increased industry presence. Also, it’s possible that the attendee growth rate is also quadratic.