Wind energy is an important renewable energy source, and artificial intelligence (AI) plays an important role in improving its efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness while minimizing its environmental impact. Based on an analysis of the latest scientific literature, this article examines AI applications for the entire life cycle of wind turbines, including planning, operation and decommissioning. A key focus is on AI-driven maintenance, which reduces downtime, improves reliability and extends the lifetime of the turbines. AI also optimizes the design of wind turbines, particularly in the development of aerodynamically efficient blade shapes through rapid design iterations. In addition, AI helps to reduce the impact on the environment, e.g., by reducing bird collisions, and improves wind energy forecasting, which is essential for balancing energy flows in power systems. Despite its benefits, AI applications face challenges, including algorithmic errors, data accuracy, ethical concerns and cybersecurity risks. Further testing and validation of AI algorithms is needed to ensure their effectiveness in advancing wind energy systems.