Mapping the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Bibliometric and Scientometric Analysis (2003–2025)

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from 2023 to 2025, based on 1,349 Scopus-indexed documents. The findings reveal a rapidly emerging yet structurally diverse field characterized by high thematic dispersion, moderate growth, and early citation impact. India leads in research output, while countries like Malaysia and Saudi Arabia exhibit high international collaboration rates. Conceptual mapping identifies two dominant clusters: one focused on applied sustainability domains and another on foundational AI methods and education. Despite growing momentum, challenges remain in metadata consistency, ethical integration, and translation of knowledge into actionable outcomes. This work provides a critical reference point for advancing AI-SDG scholarship toward greater coherence, inclusivity, and global policy relevance.