Federated Edge Learning for 6G: Foundations, Methodologies, and Applications

Artificial intelligence (AI) is envisioned to be natively integrated into the sixth-generation (6G) mobile networks to support a diverse range of intelligent applications. Federated edge learning (FEEL) emerges as a vital enabler of this vision by leveraging the sensing, communication, and computation capabilities of geographically dispersed edge devices to collaboratively train AI models without sharing raw data. This article explores the pivotal role of FEEL in advancing both the “wireless for AI” and “AI for wireless” paradigms, thereby facilitating the realization of scalable, adaptive, and intelligent 6G networks. We begin with a comprehensive overview of learning architectures, models, and algorithms that form the foundations of FEEL. We, then, establish a novel task-oriented communication principle to examine key methodologies for deploying FEEL in dynamic and resource-constrained wireless environments, focusing on device scheduling, model compression, model aggregation, and resource allocation. Furthermore, we investigate the domain-specific optimizations of FEEL to facilitate its promising applications, ranging from wireless air-interface technologies to mobile and the Internet of Things (IoT) services. Finally, we highlight key future research directions for enhancing the design and impact of FEEL in 6G.