# Semantic Communications for Future Internet: Fundamentals, Applications, and Challenges

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2207.00427 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2207.00427/

## Key facts

- Cited by 95 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 10 Jun 2022.

## Built on by (most cited first, 30 of 95)

- [CDDM: Channel Denoising Diffusion Models for Wireless Semantic Communications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.08895/) (2023)
- [Enhancing Deep Reinforcement Learning: A Tutorial on Generative Diffusion Models in Network Optimization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.05384/) (2023)
- [Token Communications: A Large Model-Driven Framework for Cross-modal Context-aware Semantic Communications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.12096/) (2025)
- [Latency-Aware Generative Semantic Communications with Pre-Trained Diffusion Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.17256/) (2024)
- [Machine Learning for Large-Scale Optimization in 6G Wireless Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.03377/) (2023)
- [Semantic-Aware Spectrum Sharing in Internet of Vehicles Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.07213/) (2024)
- [Attention-aware Resource Allocation and QoE Analysis for Metaverse xURLLC Services](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.05438/) (2022)
- [Wireless End-to-End Image Transmission System using Semantic Communications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.13721/) (2023)
- [Latent Diffusion Model-Enabled Low-Latency Semantic Communication in the Presence of Semantic Ambiguities and Wireless Channel Noises](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.06644/) (2024)
- [Large Generative Model Assisted 3D Semantic Communication](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.05783/) (2024)
- [Visual Language Model based Cross-modal Semantic Communication Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.00020/) (2024)
- [A Survey on Integrated Sensing, Communication, and Computation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.08074/) (2024)
- [Latent Semantic Diffusion-based Channel Adaptive De-Noising SemCom for Future 6G Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.09420/) (2023)
- [Generative AI-Driven Human Digital Twin in IoT-Healthcare: A Comprehensive Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.13699/) (2024)
- [Dynamic Relative Representations for Goal-Oriented Semantic Communications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.16986/) (2024)
- [Semantic-Forward Relaying: A Novel Framework Towards 6G Cooperative Communications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.07987/) (2023)
- [Applications of Generative AI (GAI) for Mobile and Wireless Networking: A Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.20024/) (2024)
- [Cognitive Semantic Communication Systems Driven by Knowledge Graph: Principle, Implementation, and Performance Evaluation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.08546/) (2023)
- [Adversarial Attacks and Defenses for Semantic Communication in Vehicular Metaverses](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.03528/) (2023)
- [Generative AI-aided Joint Training-free Secure Semantic Communications via Multi-modal Prompts](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.02616/) (2023)
- [SemantIC: Semantic Interference Cancellation Towards 6G Wireless Communications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.12768/) (2023)
- ["X of Information'' Continuum: A Survey on AI-Driven Multi-dimensional Metrics for Next-Generation Networked Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.19657/) (2025)
- [Structure-Enhanced DRL for Optimal Transmission Scheduling](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.12704/) (2022)
- [Performance Limits of a Deep Learning-Enabled Text Semantic Communication under Interference](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.14702/) (2023)
- [Deep Learning in Physical Layer: Review on Data Driven End-to-End Communication Systems and their Enabling Semantic Applications](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.12800/) (2024)
- [DeepSeek-Inspired Exploration of RL-based LLMs and Synergy with Wireless Networks: A Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.09956/) (2025)
- [Exploring Attention-Aware Network Resource Allocation for Customized Metaverse Services](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.00369/) (2022)
- [Knowledge Distillation Based Semantic Communications For Multiple Users](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2311.13789/) (2023)
- [Semantic Similarity Score for Measuring Visual Similarity at Semantic Level](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.03865/) (2024)
- [Communicate Less, Synthesize the Rest: Latency-aware Intent-based Generative Semantic Multicasting with Diffusion Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.02334/) (2024)

## Abstract (arXiv)

With the increasing demand for intelligent services, the sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks will shift from a traditional architecture that focuses solely on high transmission rate to a new architecture that is based on the intelligent connection of everything. Semantic communication (SemCom), a revolutionary architecture that integrates user as well as application requirements and meaning of information into the data processing and transmission, is predicted to become a new core paradigm in 6G. While SemCom is expected to progress beyond the classical Shannon paradigm, several obstacles need to be overcome on the way to a SemCom-enabled smart wireless Internet. In this paper, we first highlight the motivations and compelling reasons of SemCom in 6G. Then, we outline the major 6G visions and key enabler techniques which lay the foundation of SemCom. Meanwhile, we highlight some benefits of SemCom-empowered 6G and present a SemCom-native 6G network architecture. Next, we show the evolution of SemCom from its introduction to classical SemCom related theory and modern AI-enabled SemCom. Following that, focusing on modern SemCom, we classify SemCom into three categories, i.e., semantic-oriented communication, goal-oriented communication, and semantic-aware communication, and introduce three types of semantic metrics. We then discuss the applications, the challenges and technologies related to semantics and communication. Finally, we introduce future research opportunities. In a nutshell, this paper investigates the fundamentals of SemCom, its applications in 6G networks, and the existing challenges and open issues for further direction.