Due to the larger ground resistance, extinguishing and restrike arc, when high impedance faults of distribution network happen, the high impedance fault (HIF) of distribution network has strong randomness and small amplitude fault current, and traditional over-current protection device cannot detect and work. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology improves the sensitivity and accuracy of HIF detection. In this paper, firstly, the construction method of HIF detection database is introduced. Then AI based HIF detection is analyzed and discussed from signal acquisition, feature extraction and classifier selection. Finally, the key problems in the application of AI to HIF detection are summarized, which provide a solution for the subsequent related researches.