Toward Edge General Intelligence With Agentic AI and Agentification: Concepts, Technologies, and Future Directions

К периферийному общему интеллекту с помощью агентного ИИ и агентфикации: концепции, технологии и перспективные направления
Dusit Niyato, Sumei Sun, Changyuan Zhao, Jiacheng Wang, Yinqiu Liu, Yunting Xu, Ruichen Zhang, Guangyuan Liu, Jiawen Kang, Yonghui Li, Shiwen Mao, Xuemin Shen, Dong Hwan Kim
2026-01-01

6G wireless networksAgentic AIInternet of Thingsagentificationedge general intelligence
The rapid expansion of sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks and the Internet of Things (IoT) has catalyzed the evolution from centralized cloud intelligence towards decentralized edge general intelligence. However, traditional edge intelligence methods, characterized by static models and limited cognitive autonomy, fail to address the dynamic, heterogeneous, and resource-constrained scenarios inherent to emerging edge networks. Agentic artificial intelligence (Agentic AI) emerges as a transformative solution, enabling edge systems to autonomously perceive multi-modal environments, reason contextually, and adapt proactively through continuous perception–reasoning–action loops. In this context, the agentification of edge intelligence serves as a key paradigm shift, where distributed entities evolve into autonomous agents capable of collaboration and continual adaptation. This paper presents a comprehensive survey dedicated to Agentic AI and agentification frameworks tailored explicitly for edge general intelligence. First, we systematically introduce foundational concepts and clarify distinctions from traditional edge intelligence paradigms. Second, we analyze important enabling technologies, including compact model compression, energy-aware computing strategies, robust connectivity frameworks, and advanced knowledge representation and reasoning mechanisms. Third, we provide representative case studies demonstrating Agentic AI’s capabilities in low-altitude economy networks, intent-driven networking, vehicular networks, and human-centric service provisioning, supported by numerical evaluations. Furthermore, we identify current research challenges, review emerging open-source platforms, and highlight promising future research directions to guide robust, scalable, and trustworthy Agentic AI deployments for next-generation edge environments.
1
Agentic edge systems use continuous perception–reasoning–action loops to process multimodal environments, reason contextually, and proactively adapt under dynamic and heterogeneous conditions.
2
Case studies cover low-altitude economy networks, intent-driven networking, vehicular networks, and human-centric services, with numerical evaluations demonstrating Agentic AI capabilities.
3
The paper frames Agentic AI and agentification as a paradigm shift from static edge intelligence toward autonomous, collaborative, and continually adaptive edge agents.
4
The paper reviews open-source platforms and highlights unresolved challenges for robust, scalable, and trustworthy Agentic AI deployment in resource-constrained edge environments.
5
The survey identifies compact model compression, energy-aware computing, robust connectivity, and knowledge representation and reasoning as essential technologies for edge general intelligence.

Agentic AI and agentification frameworks for edge general intelligence in 6G/IoT networks

The concepts, enabling technologies, capabilities, challenges, and future directions of autonomous, collaborative, and continually adaptive edge intelligence

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2026-01-01
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Dusit Niyato
Sumei Sun
Changyuan Zhao
Jiacheng Wang
Yinqiu Liu
Yunting Xu
Ruichen Zhang
Guangyuan Liu
Jiawen Kang
Yonghui Li
Shiwen Mao
Xuemin Shen
Dong Hwan Kim
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