Theory and Application in Merging AI with Blockchain Technology

Dear Colleagues,

Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain have become transformative technologies in the rapidly evolving digital era. AI, with its powerful capabilities in data analysis and decision-making, is reshaping operational models across various industries. Meanwhile, due to the decentralization, immutability, and transparency of blockchain technology, it offers novel solutions for secure data storage and sharing.

We are pleased to invite you to submit your original research exploring the convergence paradigm of AI and blockchain. This emerging intersection presents vast opportunities for mutual enhancement: AI contributes to the advancement of blockchain systems by enabling more sophisticated data analysis, refining consensus protocols, and improving the adaptability of smart contracts. Conversely, blockchain guarantees the integrity, traceability, and accountability of data used in AI models, thereby improving greater trust and reliability in AI-driven applications.

This Special Issue aims to explore the synergistic potential of AI and blockchain, covering both theoretical foundations and practical applications across domains such as IoT, healthcare, FinTech, and more. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Intelligent incentive mechanisms powered by AI for blockchain systems;
• Security and scalability improvements in AI-driven blockchain networks;
• AI-based anomaly detection in blockchain environments;
• Applications of machine learning and deep learning within blockchain technology;
• Synergistic AI–blockchain solutions for IoT, healthcare, finance, and more;
• Leveraging blockchain to improve AI model transparency and auditability;
• Blockchain-based frameworks for protecting the security and privacy of AI;
• AI-driven Optimization of blockchain scalability;
• AI-driven optimization of blockchain security;
• AI-driven optimization of blockchain privacy protection;
• AI-driven testing for blockchain platform;
• The future of AI in blockchain.

Prof. Dr. James C.N. Yang
Prof. Dr. Zhili Zhou
Dr. Stelvio Cimato
Prof. Dr. Debiao He
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. AI is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• artificial intelligence
• blockchain
• AI–blockchain convergence
• data sharing
• consensus mechanisms
• AI security