Anticipatory edge intelligence : a foundational enabler for resilient critical infrastructure systems

Abstract

Critical infrastructure systems (CISs), such as power grids, water networks, and transportation systems, operate under stringent requirements for timeliness, resilience, and coordinated response. As these systems become increasingly data-driven and automated, decisions must often be made under uncertainty and with limited tolerance for delay. This position article advocates for anticipatory edge intelligence (AEI) as a conceptual framing for designing edge-enabled intelligence in CISs, with resilience and containment as primary objectives. AEI emphasizes the generation, exchange, and operationalization of short-horizon anticipatory information at the edge to enable coordinated, preemptive action before degradation propagates. The article examines key challenges faced by CISs, identifies opportunities where anticipatory coordination can enhance system-level resilience, and uses an illustrative scenario to motivate this perspective. By articulating AEI as a research and design lens, this work aims to guide future investigation into resilient, edge-enabled infrastructure systems.