Charting the Landscape of Artificial Intelligence Ethics: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Using bibliometric methods, this study systematically analyzes 6,084 AI ethics-related articles from the Web of Science Core Collection (2015–2025), capturing both recent advances and near-future directions in the field. It begins by examining publication trends, disciplinary categories, leading journals, and major contributing institutions/countries. Subsequently, co-citation (journals, authors, references) and keyword clustering methods reveal the foundational knowledge structure and highlight emerging research hotspots. The findings indicate increasing interdisciplinary convergence and international collaboration in AI ethics, with core themes focusing on algorithmic fairness, privacy and data security, ethical governance in autonomous vehicles, medical AI applications, educational technology, and challenges posed by generative AI (e.g., large language models). Burst keyword detection further shows an evolutionary shift from theoretical debates toward practical implementation strategies and regulatory framework development. Although numerous global initiatives have been introduced to guide AI ethics, broad consensus remains elusive, underscoring the need for enhanced cross-disciplinary and international cooperation. This research provides valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and industry practitioners, laying a foundation for sustainable and responsible AI development.