Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are nowadays mature technologies considered essential for driving the evolution of future communications systems. Simultaneously, Wi-Fi technology has constantly evolved over the past three decades and incorporated new features generation after generation, thus gaining in complexity. As such, researchers have observed that AI/ML functionalities may be required to address the upcoming Wi-Fi challenges that will be otherwise difficult to solve with traditional approaches. This paper discusses the role of AI/ML in current and future Wi-Fi networks and depicts the ways forward. A roadmap towards AI/ML-native Wi-Fi, key challenges, standardization efforts, and major enablers are also discussed. An exemplary use case is provided to showcase the potential of AI/ML in Wi-Fi at different adoption stages.

翻译：人工智能（AI）与机器学习（ML）如今已成为成熟技术，被视为驱动未来通信系统演进的关键要素。与此同时，Wi-Fi技术在过去的三十年间持续演进，代际更迭中不断融入新特性，其复杂性亦随之增长。因此，研究者们注意到，要应对即将到来的Wi-Fi挑战（这些挑战若采用传统方法将难以解决），可能需要引入AI/ML功能。本文探讨了AI/ML在当前及未来Wi-Fi网络中的作用，并描绘了发展路径。文中同时讨论了迈向AI/ML原生Wi-Fi的路线图、关键挑战、标准化进程及主要使能技术。通过一个示例性用例，展示了AI/ML在Wi-Fi不同应用阶段中的潜力。