Air interface is a fundamental component within any wireless communication system. In Release 18, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) delves into the possibilities of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) to improve the performance of the fifth-generation (5G) New Radio (NR) air interface. This endeavor marks a pioneering stride within 3GPP's journey in shaping wireless communication standards. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the pivotal themes explored by 3GPP in this domain. Encompassing a general framework for AI/ML and specific use cases such as channel state information feedback, beam management, and positioning, it provides a holistic perspective. Moreover, we highlight the potential trajectory of AI/ML for the NR air interface in 3GPP Release 19, a pathway that paves the journey towards the sixth generation (6G) wireless communication systems that will feature integrated AI and communication as a key usage scenario.

翻译：空口是任何无线通信系统中的基本组成部分。在Release 18中，第三代合作伙伴计划（3GPP）深入探索了利用人工智能（AI）/机器学习（ML）提升第五代（5G）新空口（NR）性能的可能性。这一努力标志着3GPP在塑造无线通信标准历程中的开创性一步。本文全面概述了3GPP在该领域探索的关键主题。涵盖AI/ML通用框架及具体用例（如信道状态信息反馈、波束管理和定位），提供了整体视角。此外，我们强调了3GPP Release 19中NR空口AI/ML的潜在演进路径，这条道路将通向第六代（6G）无线通信系统，而集成AI与通信将成为其关键使用场景。