Mapping the Evolution of AI-Driven Teacher Professional Development: A Bibliometric Study of Chinese and International Research

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in teachers' professional development within contemporary educational systems. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, analyzing 217 Chinese and 500 English literature sources through CiteSpace-aided visualizations (keyword co-occurrence, clustering, and timeline mapping) to map global research trends. Key findings reveal AI's multidimensional contributions: supporting intelligent teaching practices and pedagogical research, facilitating teacher training through knowledge-sharing platforms, enhancing professional identity development, and providing adaptive learning resources for skill enhancement. However, critical challenges emerge in technology adoption barriers, data privacy risks, and unresolved ethical dilemmas in AI implementation. Cross-cultural analysis identifies context-specific variations in AI integration between Chinese and international educational ecosystems, prompting tailored strategies for technological adaptation. Future directions highlight AI's potential to revolutionize teacher mentorship programs, optimize educational administration, and enable personalized learning pathways, ultimately contributing to sustainable educational development. This comprehensive analysis bridges theoretical understanding with practical implications for AI-empowered educator development.