Data-driven integrated sensing and communication: Recent advances, challenges, and future prospects

Abstract

The integration of integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven techniques has emerged as a transformative research frontier, attracting significant interest from both academia and industry. As sixth-generation (6G) networks advance to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, and high-capacity applications, machine learning (ML) has become a critical enabler for optimizing ISAC functionalities. Recent advancements in deep learning (DL) and deep reinforcement learning (DRL) have demonstrated immense potential in enhancing ISAC-based systems across diverse domains, including intelligent vehicular networks, autonomous mobility, unmanned aerial vehicles based communications, radar sensing, localization, millimeter wave/terahertz communication, and adaptive beamforming. However, despite these advancements, several challenges persist, such as real-time decision-making under resource constraints, robustness in adversarial environments, and scalability for large-scale deployments. This paper provides a comprehensive review of ML-driven ISAC methodologies, analyzing their impact on system design, computational efficiency, and real-world implementations, while also discussing existing challenges and future research directions to explore how AI can further enhance ISAC’s adaptability, resilience, and performance in next-generation wireless networks. By bridging theoretical advancements with practical implementations, this paper serves as a foundational reference for researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders, aiming to leverage AI’s full potential in shaping the future of intelligent ISAC systems within the 6G ecosystem.