This study provides research-based evidence to profile: (1) the roles of artificial intelligence in nursing; (2) its research applications; and (3) the research trends for future study. On the basis of the PRISMA statement, a series of AI and nursing education related keywords from the literature were used to retrieve high-quality journal articles from the Web of Science. A total of 112 AI-supported nursing education research articles were analyzed based on a three-dimensional framework, including interaction (e.g. the roles of AI, types of AI systems), research (e.g. methods and fields), and performance (e.g. research groups and measurement foci). The results revealed that AI played a primary role in profiling and prediction in nursing research (63%), and the most used AI system in nursing was intelligent agents (53%). The quantitative approach (87%) was the dominant research method, and the most relevant studies concerned health and medicine (92%). Regarding sample and measurement matters, patients and medical staff (75%) were the two primary research samples, and the performance evaluation of AI-related tools and systems (90%) was the core measurement focus. Additional content analysis across the three research interests was performed and discussed. Directions for future studies are provided.