Due to recent advances in the field of artificial neural networks (ANN) and the global sensitivity analysis (GSA) method, the application of these techniques in structural analysis has become feasible. A connector is an important part of a composite beam, and its shear strength can have a significant impact on structural design. In this paper, the shear performance of perfobond rib shear connectors (PRSCs) is predicted based on the back propagation (BP) ANN model, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) method and GSA method. A database was created using push-out test test and related references, where the input variables were based on different empirical formulas and the output variables were the corresponding shear strengths. The results predicted by the ANN models and empirical equations were compared, and the factors affecting shear strength were examined by the GSA method. The results show that the use of ANN model optimization by GA method has fewer errors compared to the empirical equations. Furthermore, penetrating reinforcement has the greatest sensitivity to shear performance, while the bonding force between steel plate and concrete has the least sensitivity to shear strength.