Research Hotspots and Future Trends in the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Psychology: A Bibliometric Visualization Analysis Based on CiteSpace

Abstract

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has accelerated its integration with psychology, fostering profound transformations in research paradigms within the discipline. However, this interdisciplinary development also faces challenges related to technological ethics, data privacy, and insufficient cross-disciplinary collaboration. Using CiteSpace as the bibliometric visualization tool, this study systematically analyzed 347 publications indexed in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database from 1997 to 2025 to reveal the dynamic knowledge structure and research evolution in this field. The results indicate that current research hotspots primarily focus on AI-enabled mental health services and intelligent education, cognitive and emotional modeling, optimization of human resource management, and governance of ethical risks. The technological trajectory demonstrates a clear transition from theoretical exploration to practical applications, while policy initiatives have significantly promoted the precision of mental health screening and intervention. Future research should prioritize the establishment of a multi-level ethical governance framework and strengthen international collaborative mechanisms to facilitate the high-quality development of mental health services and the integration of interdisciplinary theories. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing resource allocation and promoting the sustainable development of AI-driven mental health services.