Decentralized Intelligence: The Convergence of AI and Edge Computing for Industry 4.0

By combining edge computing with AI, technology is now experiencing a revolution - and data is being processed and decisions are being made where the data “lives” instead of having to rely on distant servers. This research explores how this trend is completely remaking industries like those in healthcare, manufacturing, and autonomous vehicles. The closer to the user's service is the information processing, the better the experience for the user in critical situations, and it also improves data security and bandwidth consumption. Edge based AI devices are improving patient monitoring and diagnostics while shortening critical care responses in healthcare. It is helping to streamline production in manufacturing through real time analysis and predictive maintenance. Edge computing is key to fast decisions in autonomous systems for vehicles and drones without continuous internet. In this study, we explore the state of art on using AI on the edge, current and future practical applications, challenges and future trends and their impact on industries undergoing digital transformation.