Abstract: Building a new type of power system is crucial for China to achieve energy reform and the strategic goal of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality". Smart microgrids development, grid structure, operational mode innovation, and a new type of power system construction are proposed in the "14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development". Artificial intelligence is an essential enabling technology to optimize microgrid operation. In this paper, the application and theories of artificial intelligence-enabled microgrid operation optimization are analyzed in detail. The application status, bottlenecks, and development trends of the involved artificial intelligence are analyzed and summarized. Then an application system of artificial intelligence enabling smart microgrids with the digital twin as the main supporting framework is proposed. Functional elements, operation mode, and artificial intelligence effects are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the application prospect of artificial intelligence-enabled microgrid operation optimization is described. It is expected to provide references and inspiration for the deep integration of artificial intelligence and new power systems in the future.