Abstract:The autonomous control of key core technologies is crucial for China’s economic development and national technological security. From the perspective of technological convergence, it has significant value to identifying the development frontier and breakthrough pathways of key core technology in the AI chip field. This paper utilizes a global analysis of AI chip domain invention patents and employs the entropy method to identify key core technologies. Then, this paper reveals noticeable heterogeneity in the convergence characteristics among Japan, the United States, South Korea, and China by a network analysis. Based on this foundation, this research indicates that Japan achieves breakthroughs in key core technologies through a strategy characterized by ‘driven by multi-industry applications with demand for small quantities and diverse varieties + cross technology category integration + deep collaboration among upstream and downstream companies in the industrial chain’. The United States follows a breakthrough method involving ‘common development across multiple industrial sectors + cross technology category integration + Industry- University-Institute innovation consortium’. South Korea’spathway to breakthrough involves ‘traction from partially advantageous industries + technology internal category integration + leading enterprises driving industry chain’. Meanwhile, China achieves breakthroughs in key core technologies in AI chip field through a strategy of ‘ parallel development in multiple fields through a scattered approach + loose integration of internal technology category + independent research and development by small number of enterprises’. These research findings offer valuable insights for China’s pursuit of breakthrough in key core technologies within the AI chip field. Specifically, in foundational common aspects, China can draw lessons from the United States, while leveraging South Korea’s breakthrough pathway in areas where it already possesses advantageous industries. This holds significant implications for China’s aspirations for technological independence and control in the AI chip domain.