# Machine Learning & Wi-Fi: Unveiling the Path Towards AI/ML-Native IEEE 802.11 Networks

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.11504 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.11504/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 8 of its 17 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 19 May 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 8 of 8)

- [Understanding artificial intelligence ethics and safety](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1906.05684/) (2019)
- [Large Generative AI Models for Telecom: The Next Big Thing?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.10249/) (2023)
- [Wi-Fi Meets ML: A Survey on Improving IEEE 802.11 Performance with Machine Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.04786/) (2021)
- [Potential and Pitfalls of Multi-Armed Bandits for Decentralized Spatial Reuse in WLANs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1805.11083/) (2018)
- [ns3-gym: Extending OpenAI Gym for Networking Research](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1810.03943/) (2018)
- [A Flexible Machine Learning-Aware Architecture for Future WLANs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1910.03510/) (2019)
- [The Next Decade of Telecommunications Artificial Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2101.09163/) (2021)
- [Artificial Intelligence for 6G Networks: Technology Advancement and Standardization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2204.00914/) (2022)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [On-Device LLM for Context-Aware Wi-Fi Roaming](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.04174/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are nowadays mature technologies considered essential for driving the evolution of future communications systems. Simultaneously, Wi-Fi technology has constantly evolved over the past three decades and incorporated new features generation after generation, thus gaining in complexity. As such, researchers have observed that AI/ML functionalities may be required to address the upcoming Wi-Fi challenges that will be otherwise difficult to solve with traditional approaches. This paper discusses the role of AI/ML in current and future Wi-Fi networks and depicts the ways forward. A roadmap towards AI/ML-native Wi-Fi, key challenges, standardization efforts, and major enablers are also discussed. An exemplary use case is provided to showcase the potential of AI/ML in Wi-Fi at different adoption stages.