Abstract: Based on an investigation of the status quo and technical routes of artificial intelligence development at home and abroad, the application scenarios and technical breakthroughs of artificial intelligence technology in thermal power industry is deliberated,, and the technical development direction of artificial intelligence in thermal power industry is discussed. An analysis is made of the technical routes for development of computer vision, big data, Internet of things, intelligent control, intelligent robot, which are needed in perception, decision making and execution in the production and operation process of thermal power enterprises. The application of artificial intelligence technology in safety management, production management and business decision-making scenarios is discussed, and the typical application cases are introduced. The key research direction of the artificial intelligence technology in thermal power industry in the future is put forward.