AI from orbit: 6G research explores satellites as moving edge servers

The article discusses innovative research in 6G networks that envisions satellites as integral components of edge computing, enabling seamless artificial intelligence (AI) services on a global scale. With 6G commercialization anticipated around 2030, researchers from the University of Hong Kong and Xidian University propose a "space–ground fluid AI" framework that integrates satellites into space–ground integrated networks (SGINs). This approach transforms satellites into both communication hubs and computing servers, addressing challenges such as satellite mobility and limited space–ground link capacity. The framework enables AI models and data to flow continuously between satellites and ground stations, extending traditional edge AI architectures into orbit. The space–ground fluid AI framework is built on three core techniques: fluid learning, fluid inference, and fluid model downloading. Fluid learning uses an infrastructure-free federated learning scheme that leverages satellite motion to mix and spread AI model parameters, turning satellite movement into an advantage for faster training convergence and improved accuracy. Fluid inference optimizes real-time AI decision