An Outlook on the Interplay of AI and Software-Defined Metasurfaces

Recent advances in programmable metasurfaces, also dubbed as software-defined metasurfaces (SDMs), are envisioned to offer a paradigm shift from uncontrollable to fully tunable and customizable wireless propagation environments, enabling a plethora of new applications and technological trends. Therefore, in view of this cutting edge technological concept, we first review the architecture and electromagnetic waves manipulation functionalities of SDMs. We then detail some of the recent advancements that have been made towards realizing these programmable functionalities in wireless communication applications. Furthermore, we elaborate on how artificial intelligence (AI) can address various constraints introduced by real-time deployment of SDMs, particularly in terms of latency, storage, energy efficiency, and computation. A review of the state-of-the-art research on the integration of AI with SDMs is presented, highlighting their potentials as well as challenges. Finally, the paper concludes by offering a look ahead towards unexplored possibilities of AI mechanisms in the context of SDMs.