Published July 1, 2026, this analysis examined 170,927 AI research papers posted to arXiv between early 2025 and June 26, 2026 across four machine-learning categories. Using keyword matching against titles and abstracts, the analysis tracked which research topics gained a disproportionately larger share of published papers across three consecutive half-year periods. The piece is described as the inaugural edition of a recurring AI Research Pulse report and highlights shifts such as the growing prominence of agentic AI research.
