Tutorial 11: AI-ML and Goal-oriented Semantic Networks for the 6G Networks

Speakers

 

Abstract

The last trends of communication networks have been characterized by the AI/ML role and techniques able to put intelligence and automation within the networks. Due to the huge amount of available digital data, the goal-oriented semantic approach gained a lot of interest among the scientific communities. The tutorial aims to present an overview and a technical description of the goal-oriented semantic networks approach within the context of the next generation of wireless networks (5G/BY5G/6G) and the crucial role of AI/ML techniques and algorithms to be used in the next BY5G/6G communication networks. The reference goal-oriented semantic KPIs are illustrated.

Use cases, benefits and challenges are presented according to two combined perspectives: from the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) (e.g. network management, integration with IoT and non-terrestrial Networks (NTNs)) and end-user points of view, in terms of vertical applications that can be enabled (automotive, AR/VR/XR, metaverse, eHealth). Examples of its applicability and future research trends are also provided (e.g. blockchain and decentralized architectures, security, integration with O-RAN architectures, RIC and other AI/ML-based features/components, etc..). Research trends are described, such as the integration of blockchain systems and decentralized architectures, edge/cloud-based systems, GenAI, and security issues.

Objectives and motivation.

The tutorial aims to present an overview and technical description of the goal-oriented semantic networks approach within the context of the next generation of wireless networks (5G/BY5G/6G). The information semantics and AI/ML technique implementation can improve the intelligence degree and related performance of the next wireless networks. They represent an important shift forward in the implementation of network intelligence.

 

Target Audience

Managers from the industry, researchers and professors, consultants and professionals, and vendors in the Telecommunication Sector.

 

Outline and Description of the Tutorial

  1. Introduction to the information semantics and the goal-oriented networks
  2. The goal-oriented network approach
  3. The operator perspective: enhancing the network intelligence and automation
  4. The end-user perspective: enhancing application intelligence in different vertical sectors
  5. Examples of goal-oriented network approach
  6. Benefits and challenges
  7. Future research trends
  8. Q&A

 

Reading List

  1. E. Calvanese Strinati and S. Barbarossa, “6G Networks: Beyond Shannon Toward Semantic and Goal-Oriented Communications,” Computer Networks, vol. 190, p. 107930, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.comnet.2021.107930
  2. T. M. Getu, G. Kaddoum, and M. Bennis, “A Survey on Goal-Oriented Semantic Communication: Techniques, Challenges, and Future Directions,” IEEE Access, vol. 12, pp. 51223–51274, 2024, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3387432
  3. X. Lin, J. Zhang, Y. Liu, and J. Kim, Fundamentals of 6G Communications and Networking, Springer, 2024. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-37920-8
  4. J. Liao, B. He, J. Wang, and J. Wang, Key Technologies for On-Demand 6G Network Services, Springer, 2024. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-70606-6
  5. M. Giordani, M. Polese, A. Roy, D. Castor, and M. Zorzi, Enabling 6G Mobile Networks, Springer, 2022. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-74648-3
  6. E. Calvanese Strinati, P. Di Lorenzo, V. Sciancalepore, A. Aijaz, M. Kountouris, D. Gündüz, P. Popovski, M. Sana, P. A. Stavrou, B. Soret, N. Cordeschi, S. Scardapane, M. Merluzzi, L. Zanzi, M. Boldi, R. Renato, T. Q. Quek, N. Di Pietro, O. Forceville, F. Costanzo and P. Li, “Goal-Oriented and Semantic Communication in 6G AI-Native Networks: The 6G-GOALS Approach,” arXiv preprint arXiv:2402.07573, 2024.
  7. H. Zhou, Y. Deng, X. Liu, N. Pappas, A. Nallanathan, “Goal-Oriented Semantic Communications for 6G Networks,” (preprint / conference version, 2025).

 

Vertical

Cutting-edge AI Research

 

Timeline

4 hours