The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted photonics, creating a symbiotic relationship that accelerates the development and applications of both fields. From the perspective of AI aiding photonics, deep-learning methods and various intelligent algorithms have been developed for designing complex photonic structures, where traditional design approaches fall short. AI’s capability to process and analyze large data sets has enabled the discovery of novel materials, such as for photovoltaics, leading to enhanced light absorption and efficiency. AI is also significantly transforming the field of optical imaging with improved performance. In addition, AI-driven techniques have revolutionized optical communication systems by optimizing signal processing and enhancing the bandwidth and reliability of data transmission. Conversely, the contribution of photonics to AI is equally profound. Photonic technologies offer unparalleled advantages in the development of AI hardware, providing solutions to overcome the bottlenecks of electronic systems. The implementation of photonic neural networks, leveraging the high speed and parallelism of optical computing, demonstrates significant improvements in the processing speed and energy efficiency of AI computations. Furthermore, advancements in optical sensors and imaging technologies not only enrich AI applications with high-quality data but also expand the capabilities of AI in fields such as autonomous vehicles and medical imaging. We provide comprehensive knowledge and a detailed analysis of the current state of the art, addressing both challenges and opportunities at the intersection of AI and photonics. The multifaceted interactions between AI and photonics will be explored, illustrating how AI has become an indispensable tool in the development of photonics and how photonics, in turn, facilitates advancements in AI. Through a collection of case studies and examples, we underscore the potential of this interdisciplinary approach to drive innovation, proposing challenges and future research directions that could further harness the synergies between AI and photonics for scientific and technological breakthroughs.