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Intelligence on the Edge

Strategic Research Area 3

Distributed Intelligence

Data is the future digital society’s foundation. Ultra-densified communications and sensing overwhelm the current data and computing infrastructures.

Massive amounts of locally generated data need distributing computations over an edge-cloud continuum. AI/ML models need novel distributed paradigms that take advantage of advanced 6G networks to increase privacy and data locality. Distributed computing and AI/ML will enable distributed sensing, modelling, and unique user interfaces.

These will need integration into complex system architectures that operate independently and in dynamic contexts, and will lay the groundwork for the future society’s needs.

View the White Paper

Distributed INTELLIGENCE

Research Themes

Computing on the edge-to-cloud continuum

Massive volumes of locally created data and tightened latency, security, and privacy constraints render the old cloud-native model obsolete. Instead, edge and fog computing bring cloud computing closer to applications, data sources, and regulated processes.

Distributing computation across the edge-to-cloud continuum needs a network of dynamically linked nodes that share resources. This is useful in contexts where data is constantly changing, and latency requirements are high. Edge computing enables optimizing signal-processing operations among cloud, edge servers, radio heads, and devices. Self-aware computing and Information-Centric Networking enable such orchestration.

Susanna Pirttikangas, theme leader of Computing on the edge-to-cloud continuum at 6G Flagship

Theme Leader

Susanna Pirttikangas

susanna.pirttikangas@oulu.fi

View bio

Distributed AI

Future data-intensive applications need distributed AI and analytics solutions on the edge and fog computing platforms. With the advent of 6G, these solutions will help complement human decision-making, construct autonomous systems from small devices to whole factories, and optimize network performance and marshal billions of devices.

Achieving varied service and latency needs while increasing resource efficiency is the key challenge of future AI. Updated application-level protocol and security solutions are required.

We develop ways to maximize AI method distribution across heterogeneous nodes. Increasing heterogeneous streaming data will demand sophisticated computing paradigms and distributed and self-organizing methods. Furthermore, achieving system-level goals and efficiently employing resources needs system models for decision making.

Sumudu Samarakoon, theme leader of Distributed AI at 6G Flagship

Theme Leader

Sumudu Samarakoon

sumudu.samarakoon@oulu.fi

View bio

Multimodal sensing and modelling

6G relies on multimodal sensor data to detect and model the surroundings. New sensors and actuators accompanied with high-speed connectivity and low-cost computational processing have made real-time and distributed intelligent applications feasible.

The challenge is to make sense of all the data. Uncertainty quantification and propagation are automated ways to improve operational data quality and privacy. It is possible to increase the trustworthiness of smart decision support systems by improving data visibility from several sources and understanding the functions and logic behind the judgments.

6G is intended to natively allow radio-based sensing and support ultra-dense sensor and actuator networks, enabling hyper-local and real-time sensing, communication, and interaction. Both the physical and programmed worlds require multidimensional orchestration.

Janne Heikkilä, theme leader of multimodal sensing and modelling at 6G Flagship

Theme Leader

Janne Heikkilä

janne.heikkila@oulu.fi

View bio

Distributed INTELLIGENCE

Publication Highlights

Ding, A. Y., Peltonen, E., Meuser, T., Aral, A., Becker, C., Dustdar, S., … Wolf, L.
Roadmap for edge AI: a Dagstuhl perspective


Elgabli, A., Park, J., Bedi, A. S., Bennis, M., Aggarwal, V.
GADMM: Fast and Communication Efficient Framework for Distributed Machine Learning


Lähderanta, T., Leppänen, T., Ruha, L., Lovén, L., Harjula, E., Ylianttila, M., … Sillanpää, M. J.
Edge computing server placement with capacitated location allocation


Bhayani, S., Sattler, T., Barath, D., Beliansky, P., Heikkilä, J., Kukelova, Z. 
Calibrated and Partially Calibrated Semi-Generalized Homographies


Niu, X., Yu, Z., Han, H., Li, X., Shan, S., Zhao, G.
Video-based remote physiological measurement via cross-verified feature disentangling

view all publications

Distributed INTELLIGENCE

Solutions and Development

Our practical solutions consider microservices-based edge architectures which decrease the delays of data-intensive applications while providing security and privacy to the users. The architectures are particularly well suited for environments where data are dynamically changing and latency requirements for data exchange are very stringent.

Read more in the White Paper on 6G Drivers and the United Nations SDGs.

Development

We will also develop new distributed learning mechanisms to allow algorithms to run at edge servers, user terminals and other devices with limited data while providing strong robustness against device and link failures.

SEE THE ACTION

Sample projects

ILLUSIVE: Foundations of Perception Engineering


FRACTAL: Empowering Edge Computing


MAALI: Multisensory automation for assisted living


Frages: A framework for General Spatial AI


R2D2: Robust and Reliable Delay-sensitive Communication and Control Co-design

VIEW ALL PROJECTS

Interested in Distributed INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH?

Contact Us

To learn more about distributed intelligence research, contact a theme leader directly or drop a message to our SRA coordinator.

Check out our other strategic research areas

6G Flagship research seeks scientific 6G breakthroughs in four interconnected strategic research areas. Learn more about our other strategic research areas.

Discover other SRAs
Miguel Bordallo López

Strategic Research Area Coordinator

Miguel Bordallo López

miguel.bordallo@oulu.fi

View bio

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