Mind Meets Machine: A Scientometric Exploration of the Cognitive Frontier in Generative AI

Abstract

This study explores how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) affects users’ thinking and learning by analyzing research trends from 2016 to 2025 using bibliometric methods. Based on 302 academic papers, it shows how early research focused on technical aspects like deep learning and chatbots, while recent studies (especially in 2025) highlight more human-centered topics such as creativity, decision-making, and language understanding. The findings group the research into four main themes: AI in education, medical training, cognitive science, and decision-making. The study concludes that GenAI is becoming more connected to how people think, learn, and use language, offering guidance for future research and educational practices.