Research on the growth mechanism of core innovation network of artificial intelligence industry based on valued ERGMs

The analysis of the growth mechanisms within the core innovation network of the AI industry can reveal the current situation of collaboration relationship and clarify the law of technological evolution in China's AI field. Based on the invention patents of China's AI industry from 2014 to 2022, we constructed a multi-layer network including AI collaboration network and knowledge network. Then, we divided the AI industry into an initial exploration period, an accelerated advancement period and a mature development period according to the development stages. On this basis, we employed valued ERGMs to explore the weight of the relationship between the core collaboration network and the core knowledge network in different stages. The results show that organisational centrality and social proximity promote the growth of the AI industry collaboration network, while organisational knowledge diversity inhibits the growth of the AI industry collaboration network. Knowledge network centrality promotes the growth of the AI industry knowledge network, while knowledge uniqueness and knowledge maturity homogeneity inhibit the growth of the AI industry knowledge network. These findings enhance the study of multi-layer network evolution and valued ERGMs, while also offering valuable insights for the development of organisations within the AI industry.