The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Gaming

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force in the gaming industry, enhancing gameplay mechanics while expanding applications in education, healthcare, and human–computer interaction. The rapid growth of research in this domain requires a bibliometric review of its intellectual structure and thematic evolution. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 5114 peer-reviewed documents indexed in Scopus and Web of Science between 2016 and 2025. Using performance indicators, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence mapping, the analysis identifies the most productive journals, countries, institutions, and authors contributing to the field. Citation analysis highlights seminal works on deep reinforcement learning as intellectual milestones, while keyword and thematic mapping reveal a dual trajectory: the development of advanced AI frameworks (reinforcement learning, deep learning, federated learning) and their application in societal domains such as education, psychology, and healthcare. The findings provide a consolidated overview of scientific production, intellectual influence, and thematic directions, contributing to a better understanding of the current state and prospects of AI–gaming research.