Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces-Assisted Task-Oriented Communications for AI-Driven Vertical Applications

The integration of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) into next-generation wireless networks offers a promising avenue for enhancing communication performance across diverse vertical applications. This paper explores the utilization of RIS to support task-oriented communications, driven by the increasing need for intelligent data processing in AI-driven scenarios such as autonomous vehicles and smart factories. Unlike traditional communication systems focused on exact data recovery, task-oriented communications facilitated by RIS prioritize the precise execution of specific tasks, potentially transforming the wireless landscape by reducing data transmission burdens and enhancing system efficacy. We propose a task-specific RIS approach aimed at improving the task inference performance of legitimate receivers while thwarting eavesdroppers. Experimental studies demonstrate the effective configuration of RIS to meet the demands of cooperative task inference by dynamically adapting to the wireless environment. This research underscores the pivotal role of intelligent surfaces in achieving high-performance, task-specific communications, highlighting their significance in future wireless infrastructures.