The New Geography of Corporate R&D: In the AI Era, R&D Networks Are Shifting from Headquarters-Centric to Multiregional

Corporate R&D is shifting from a headquarters-centric model to a multiregional network. AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and digital health depend on scarce specialized expertise, and no single region can offer all the necessary conditions. Ireland is an example of this trend: Qualcomm is investing $142.3 million to develop its Cork site into a strategic AI hub, HubSpot is investing about $46 million in AI-native R&D, and Boston Scientific and Medtronic are also expanding their local R&D operations.