Abstract Using machine-learning methods based on self-organising Kohonen maps, the results of numerical simulation of the acceleration of electrons during the interaction of high-power laser radiation with plasma are analysed and classified. The particle-in-cell (PIC) method is used to simulate the interaction in a wide range of parameters (laser intensity and plasma concentration). For each set of parameters, the spectrum of accelerated electrons is found, based on which the charge, average energy, and relative energy spread of accelerated electrons are calculated. Using the obtained values as input parameters of the map, the classification of various acceleration regimes is performed. The developed scheme can be used to identify the optimal acceleration regimes under more realistic conditions, considering a larger number of parameters.