Artificial Intelligence Research in Smart Cities: A Bibliometric Analysis

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis examining the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in smart cities in terms of global research trends, thematic evolution, and future directions. Based on the analysis of 810 publications from the Web of Science database covering the period 2004-2025, the study maps the intellectual structure of the field through co-citation, co-authorship, and keyword co-occurrence networks using VOSviewer software, and conducts thematic content analysis of the most influential publications. The findings reveal the application areas of AI in smart cities under six main headings: smart cities, AI and machine learning, internet of things, management, data security and blockchain, environmental sustainability, and digital twins for urban planning. Publication trends show an exponential increase in research outputs after 2019, with China, India, and the USA standing out as the countries with the most contributions. "Smart city", "AI", "machine learning", and "internet of things" are among the most frequently encountered keywords. The study identifies critical challenges such as the need for standard data protocols, ethical AI governance, and interdisciplinary collaboration for scalable and equitable urban solutions. The results highlight the transformative potential of AI in smart city development, while highlighting the importance of balanced approaches that integrate technological innovation with societal and environmental elements. This research serves as an essential reference for policymakers, local governments, urban planners, and researchers working at the intersection of AI and smart urban systems.