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{{Short description|Electronic devices detecting human presence}}
{{redirect|AmI||AMI (disambiguation)}}

[[File:Evolution computer 1960-2010-fr.jpg|thumb|An (expected) evolution of computing from 1960 to 2010]]
'''Ambient intelligence''' ('''AmI''') refers to environments with electronic devices that are aware of and can recognize the presence of human beings and adapt accordingly. This concept encompasses various technologies in [[consumer electronics]], telecommunications, and computing. Its primary purpose is to enhance user interactions through context-aware systems.

AmI aims to create environments where devices communicate seamlessly with users, leveraging data from interconnected systems. A common example of Aml is the [[Internet of things]] (IoT), which integrates everyday devices into networks that provide intelligent responses based on user behavior.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ambient Intelligence within a Home Environment |url=https://www.ercim.eu/publication/Ercim_News/enw47/bielikova.html |access-date=2017-12-14 |website=www.ercim.eu}}</ref>

The term "ambient intelligence" was coined in the late 1990s by [[Eli Zelkha]] and his team at [[Palo Alto, California|Palo Alto]] Ventures. The project envisioned a future where technology would seamlessly blend with daily life.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last=Arribas-Ayllon |first=Michael |title=Ambient Intelligence: an innovation narrative |url=https://www.academia.edu/1080720 |journal=Lancs.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Aarts |first1=Emile H. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JfeAlyQX4gYC&q=pieper+digital+living+room&pg=PA6 |title=True Visions: The Emergence of Ambient Intelligence |last2=Encarnação |first2=José Luis |date=13 December 2006 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9783540289746 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nolin |first1=Jan |last2=Olson |first2=Nasrine |year=2016 |title=The Internet of Things and Convenience (PDF Download Available) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273316307 |journal=Internet Research |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=360–376 |doi=10.1108/IntR-03-2014-0082}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ambient Intelligence Knowledge Center .: SemiEngineering.com |url=http://semiengineering.com/kc/knowledge_center/Ambient-Intelligence/186}}</ref> In the early 2000s, the concept gained further attention when the Information Society and Technology Advisory Group (ISTAG) of the [[European Commission]] published a series of reports on the topic.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Helena Rodrigues |last2=Nuno Otero |last3=Rui José |title=Ambient Intelligence: Beyond the Inspiring Vision |url=https://lib.jucs.org/article/29704/ |journal=Journal of Universal Computer Science |date=2010 |volume=16 |issue=12 |pages=1480–1499 |doi=10.3217/JUCS-016-12-1480}}</ref>

Ambient intelligence has been characterized as a speculative or imaginary concept.<ref name=":0" />

==Overview==
The concept of ambient intelligence builds upon [[pervasive computing]], [[ubiquitous computing]], [[profiling (information science)|profiling]], [[context awareness]], and [[Human-centered computing|human-centered computer]] interaction design. It is characterized by systems and technologies that are:<ref>Brian Epstein, Digital Living Room Conference Keynote 1998, (17 June 1998: revised script) https://epstein.org/ambient-intelligence/ accessed 14/12/17</ref><ref name=":1" />
* [[embedded system|Embedded]]: Networked devices are integrated into their environment.
* [[Transparency (human–computer interaction)|Transparent]]: The devices themselves are invisible to users, providing unobtrusive interaction.
* [[Context awareness|Context aware]]: The devices can sense people and their situations.
* [[personalization|Personalized]]: They can be tailored to meet the user's needs.
* [[adaptive behavior|Adaptive]]: They are capable of changing in response to human use.
* [[anticipation (artificial intelligence)|Anticipatory]]: They can calculate a user's preferences based on their past behavior.

The implementation of ambient intelligence requires several technologies to exist. These include hidden hardware that benefit from [[miniaturization|miniaturisation]], [[nanotechnology]], and [[smart device]]s, along with human-centered computer interfaces ([[intelligent agents]], [[multimodal interaction]], [[context awareness]], etc.). These systems and devices operate through a seamless mobile or fixed communication and computing infrastructure characterized by [[interoperability]], wired and [[wireless]] networks, and [[service-oriented architecture]]. Systems and devices must also be dependable and secure. This could be achieved through self-testing and self-repairing software and [[privacy]]-ensuring technology.

Ambient intelligence has a relationship with and depends on advances in [[Sensor|sensor technology]] and [[sensor networks]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Cook|first1=Diane J.|author1-link=Diane J. Cook|last2=Augusto|first2=Juan C.|last3=Jakkula|first3=Vikramaditya R.|date=2009-08-01|title=Ambient intelligence: Technologies, applications, and opportunities|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S157411920900025X|journal=Pervasive and Mobile Computing|language=en|volume=5|issue=4|pages=277–298|doi=10.1016/j.pmcj.2009.04.001|s2cid=2751401 |issn=1574-1192}}</ref>

User experience became more important to developers in the late 1990s as a result of experiences with digital products that were difficult to understand or use. In response, [[user experience design]] emerged to create new technologies and media around the user's personal experience. Ambient intelligence is influenced by [[user-centered design]], in which the user is placed in the centre of design activity and gives feedback to the designer.

==History and invention==
In 1998, the management board of [[Philips Natuurkundig Laboratorium|Philips Research]] commissioned a series of presentations and internal workshops organized by [[Eli Zelkha]] and Brian Epstein of Palo Alto Ventures. They investigated future scenarios and how consumer devices might advance over the next quarter-century. Zelkha and Epstein described the high-volume consumer electronics industry of the 1990s as "fragmented with features", contrasted by what they envisioned as the emergence of industry trends where user-friendly devices would support ubiquitous information, communication, and entertainment by 2020.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:845301/FULLTEXT02|title=Semantic web, ubiquitous computing, or internet of things? A macro-analysis of scholarly publications|date=2015|journal=Journal of Documentation|volume=71|issue=5|pages=884–916|doi=10.1108/JD-03-2013-0033|last1=Olson|first1=Nasrine|last2=Nolin|first2=Jan|last3=Nelhans|first3=Gustaf}}</ref> As a result, the term "ambient intelligence" was coined.

While developing the ambient intelligence concept, Palo Alto Ventures created the keynote address for [[Roel Pieper]] of Philips for the Digital Living Room Conference of 1998,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JfeAlyQX4gYC&q=roel+pieper+ambient+intelligence&pg=PA6|title=True Visions: The Emergence of Ambient Intelligence|first1=Emile H. L.|last1=Aarts|first2=José Luis|last2=Encarnação|date=13 December 2006|publisher=Springer|via=Google Books|isbn=9783540289746}}</ref> which included Eli Zelkha, Brian Epstein, [[Simon Birrell]], Doug Randall and Clark Dodsworth. In 2000, there were plans to construct a feasible and usable facility dedicated to ambient intelligence; these led to the opening of HomeLab on April 24, 2002. In 2005, Philips joined the Oxygen Alliance, an international consortium of industrial partners within the context of [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT's]] Oxygen Project,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxygen.lcs.mit.edu|title=MIT Project Oxygen|publisher=Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory|access-date=2012-06-27}}</ref> which was aimed at developing technology for the computer of the 21st century.

In parallel to the development of the concept and vision of "ambient intelligence" at Philips, several other initiatives were also starting to explore the concept of ambient intelligence. Following the advice of the Information Society and Technology Advisory Group ([[ISTAG]]), the [[European Commission]] used the vision for the launch of their sixth framework (FP6) in Information, Society and Technology, with a budget of 3.7&nbsp;billion euros.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ducatel |first1=Ken |title=Scenarios for ambient intelligence in 2010, final report |last2=Bogdanowicz |first2=Mark |last3=Scapolo |first3=Fabiana |last4=Leijten |first4=Jos |date=January 2001 |publisher=IPTS-Seville }}</ref>

During the first decade of the 21st century, several significant initiatives were launched. The [[Fraunhofer Society]] started several such activities, including multimedia, [[Microsystem|micro-system]] design, and augmented spaces. [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] started an ambient intelligence research group at their Media Lab.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ambient.media.mit.edu/|title=Fluid Interfaces Group|publisher=MIT Media Lab|access-date=2012-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510050536/http://ambient.media.mit.edu/|archive-date=2012-05-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> Several more research projects were started in countries such as the United States, Canada, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. Since 2004, the European Symposium on Ambient Intelligence (EUSAI) and many other conferences have been held that address special topics in ambient intelligence.

==Social and political aspects==
[[Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development|Europe's ISTAG]] suggests that society may be encouraged to use ambient intelligence if AmI projects are able to meet the following criteria:<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Burzagli |first1=Laura |last2=Emiliani |first2=Pier Luigi |last3=Antona |first3=Margherita |last4=Stephanidis |first4=Constantine |date=2022 |title=Intelligent environments for all: a path towards technology-enhanced human well-being |journal=Universal Access in the Information Society |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=437–456 |doi=10.1007/s10209-021-00797-0 |issn=1615-5289 |pmc=7956403 |pmid=33746688 }}</ref>
* Facilitate human contact.
* Are oriented towards community and cultural enhancement.
* Help to build knowledge and skills for work, better quality of work, citizenship, and [[consumer choice]].
* Inspire trust and confidence.
* Are consistent with long-term personal, societal, and environmental sustainability and with lifelong learning.
* Are made easy to live with and control by ordinary people.

==Technologies==
A variety of technologies can be used to enable ambient intelligence environments, such as:{{sfn|Gasson|Warwick|2013}}
* [[Bluetooth Low Energy]]
* [[Radio-frequency identification|RFID]]
* [[Microchip implant (human)|Microchip implant]]
* [[Sensor]]s: ambient light sensors ([[photodetector]]s), [[thermometer]]s, [[proximity sensor]]s, and [[motion detector]]s
* [[Software agent]]s
* [[Affective computing]]
* [[Nanotechnology]]
* [[Biometrics]]

==Criticism==
The ambient intelligence concept is subject to criticism.<ref>See, for example, David Wright, Serge Gutwirth, Michael Friedewald, et al., ''Safeguards in a World of Ambient Intelligence'', Springer, Dordrecht, 2008)</ref> Ambient intelligence can be immersive, personalized, context-aware, and anticipatory. These characteristics bring up societal, political, and cultural concerns about the loss of [[privacy]]. Proponents of AmI argue that applications of ambient intelligence can function without necessarily reducing privacy.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Hildebrandt|first1=Mireille|last2=Koops|first2=Bert-Jaap|date=2010|title=The Challenges of Ambient Law and Legal Protection in the Profiling Era|journal=The Modern Law Review|volume=73|issue=3|pages=428–460|issn=0026-7961|jstor=40660735|doi=10.1111/j.1468-2230.2010.00806.x|s2cid=55400364|url=https://pure.uvt.nl/ws/files/1248058/Koops_The_Challenges_of_Ambient_Law_100712.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Lopez|first1=Mar|last2=Pedraza|first2=Juanita|last3=Carbó|first3=Javier|last4=Molina|first4=José|date=2014-06-04|chapter=Ambient Intelligence: Applications and Privacy Policies|chapter-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286645575|volume=430|pages=191–201|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-07767-3_18|title=Highlights of Practical Applications of Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Systems. The PAAMS Collection|series=Communications in Computer and Information Science|isbn=978-3-319-07766-6|hdl=10016/27593}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Streitz|first1=Norbert|last2=Charitos|first2=Dimitris|last3=Kaptein|first3=Maurits|last4=Böhlen|first4=Marc|date=2019-01-01|title=Grand challenges for ambient intelligence and implications for design contexts and innovative societies|journal=Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Smart Environments|language=en|volume=11|issue=1|pages=87–107|doi=10.3233/AIS-180507|issn=1876-1364|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Critics also discuss the potential for concentrations of power in large organisations; a fragmented, decreasingly private society; and [[Hyperreality|hyper-real]] environments where the virtual is indistinguishable from the real.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.clickz.com/no-ads-on-orkut-but-apps-may-come/88217/|title=No Ads on Orkut, but Come|date=2007-10-08|work=ClickZ|access-date=2017-12-14|language=en-US}}</ref> Several research groups and communities have investigated the socioeconomic, political, and cultural aspects of ambient intelligence.

==Appearance in fiction==
* ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'', 1979 novel by [[Douglas Adams]]: The doors have emotion and express this when people use them.
* ''[[The Diamond Age]]'', 1995 novel by [[Neal Stephenson]]: It depicts a world completely changed by the full development of [[nanotechnology]] that is present everywhere.
* [[Minority Report (film)|''Minority Report'' (2002 film)]]: One scene illustrates adaptive advertising where the future-consumers are identified via retinal scans and receive targeted ads.{{sfn|Parker|2002}}
* ''[[Her (2013 film)|Her]]'' (2013 film): The opening scene depicts the protagonist commuting home. Upon arriving, the various lights throughout the apartment are turned on as the character moves through the rooms ([[Lighting control system|automated lighting control]]). A later scene shows that an artificial entity can also control these systems, changing a song in the background to lighten a situation and for humorous effect.

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Ambient awareness]]
* [[Ambient IoT]]
* [[Ambient media]]
* [[Augmented reality]]
* [[Spatial computing]]
* [[Autonomous agent]]
* [[Context awareness]]
* [[Context-aware pervasive systems]]
* [[Cyborg]]
* [[Embodied agent]]
* [[Intelligent control]]
* [[Internet of Things]]
** [[Edge computing]]
* [[Mobile computing]]
* [[Multi-agent system]]
* [[PositiveID]]
* [[Spatial contextual awareness]]
* [[Ubiquitous computing]]
* [[Wireless sensor network]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Citation|last1=Zelkha|first1=Eli|last2=Epstein|first2=Brian |last3=Birrell|first3=Simon|last4=Dodsworth|first4=Clark|date=1998|title=From Devices to "Ambient Intelligence"|publication-date=June 1998|journal=Digital Living Room Conference|url=http://www.epstein.org/brian/ambient_intelligence/DLR%20Final%20Internal.ppt}}
* {{Citation|last1=Aarts|first1=Emile|last2=Harwig|first2=Rick|last3=Schuurmans|first3=Martin|date=2007|title=chapter "Ambient Intelligence" in The Invisible Future: The Seamless Integration Of Technology Into Everyday Life|publisher=McGraw-Hill Companies}}
* {{Citation|last1=Aarts|first1=Emile|last2=Marzano|first2=Stefano|date=2003|title=The New Everyday: Visions of Ambient Intelligence|publisher=010 Publishers}}
* {{Citation|last1=Bieliková|first1=Mária|last2=Krajcovic|first2=Tibor |date=2001|title=Ambient Intelligence within a Home Environment|publication-date=October 2001|journal=ERCIM News|issue=47|url=http://www.ercim.org/publication/Ercim_News/enw47/bielikova.html}}
* {{Citation|last=Parker|first=Pamela|date=2002|title=Interactive Ads Play Big Role in "Minority Report"|publication-date=June 21, 2002|journal=ClickZ|url=http://www.clickz.com/1369861}}
* {{Citation|last1=Gasson|first1=Mark|last2=Warwick|first2=Kevin|author2-link=Kevin Warwick|date=2013|title=D12.2: Study on Emerging AmI Technologies|journal=FIDIS Deliverables|volume=12|issue=2|url=http://www.fidis.net/resources/deliverables/hightechid/#c1869}}

==External links==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100502010645/http://www.ambientmediaassociation.org/ SAME Series]}} – Semantic Ambient Media Series Workshop.
* [http://cindy.informatik.uni-bremen.de/cosy/stami/ STAMI Series] – Space, Time and Ambient Intelligence (STAMI). International Workshop Series.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160313133421/http://sensami.snic.nl/ambient.php Sensami] – a congress on ambient intelligence.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090116032033/http://www.infj.ulst.ac.uk/~jcaug/aitami08.htm AITAmI] – Workshop on "Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Ambient Intelligence".
* [http://www.iospress.nl/journal/journal-of-ambient-intelligence-and-smart-environments/ JAISE] – The International Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Smart Environments. {{ISSN|1876-1364}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090718000915/http://www.infj.ulst.ac.uk/~jcaug/FlyerAISE.pdf AISE] – Book Series on Ambient Intelligence and Smart Environments.
* [http://www.i-o-t.org/ I-o-T.org] – Internet of Things: mainly based on Ambient intelligence.
* [http://www.ami-conferences.org/ AmI] – International Joint Conferences on Ambient Intelligent.

{{Ambient intelligence|state=expanded}}
{{Emerging technologies|state=collapsed|topics=yes|infocom=yes}}

[[Category:Ambient intelligence| ]]
[[Category:Ubiquitous computing]]