At present

the intelligent and smart safety management for hydropower dams in China is still at an early stage. Numerous institutions in the industry have carried out extensive explorations in intelli ⁃ gent operation and maintenance of hydropower dams

leading to the preliminary formation of an intelli ⁃ gent technical system for dam safety operation. This paper systematically analyzed the current status and practical demands of intelligent construction for hydropower dam operation safety. By examining the ap ⁃ plication of statistical models

neural networks

deep learning

knowledge graphs and AI large models

this study reviewed and discussed recent advances and future prospects in intelligence research of hy ⁃ dropower dams from the perspectives of intelligent information sensing

data-driven analysis

structural health diagnosis and intelligent decision support

aiming to provide some insights and reference ideas for smart dam development in future.