Maria Virvou - Handbook on Artificial Intelligence-Empowered Applied Software Engineering: VOL.2: Smart Software Applications in Cyber-Physical Systems

The book series AI-SSE publishes new developments and advances on all aspects of Artificial Intelligence-enhanced Software and Systems Engineeringquickly and with a high quality. The series provides a concise coverage of the particular topics from both the vantage point of a newcomer and that of a highly specialized researcher in these scientific disciplines, which results in a significant cross-fertilization and research dissemination. To maximize dissemination of research results and knowledge in these disciplines, the series will publish edited books, monographs, handbooks, textbooks and conference proceedings. Of particular value to both the contributors and the readership are the short publication timeframe and the world-wide distribution, which enable both wide and rapid dissemination of research output.

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Artificial Intelligence is defining a new era in human civilization, shaping a new, human-centred society (Society 5.0) in which cyberspace (virtual space) and physical space (real space) are highly integrated [1, 2]. The main characteristic of this era is that huge amounts of data, collected from a variety of sensors, are stored and automatically analysed without human intervention and via intelligent algorithms and software which far exceed human capabilities. The consequence is a strong interconnection between humans, devices and services in literally all aspects of professional, social and everyday life, which was never previously seen and is continuously becoming ever more complex.

Certainly, this interconnection between humans and artificial intelligence comes with significant risks. In [3], a warning is issued that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not an ongoing or imminent global catastrophic risk. Nor is it as uncontroversially a serious cause for concern. However, from a long term perspective, the development of general artificial intelligence, exceeding that of the human brain, can be seen as one of the main challenges to the future of humanity (arguably, even as the main challenge).

Despite the risks associated with the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence, almost every aspect of society is expected to benefit from it, including economic development, combatting famine, poverty and inequality, improved healthcare, advanced assistive technologies for people in need, efficient energy production and distribution, disaster prevention and intelligent applications in manufacturing and industry.

These advances come from the pressure imposed on researchers worldwide to insert Artificial Intelligence enhancements into software and/or empower software with Artificial Intelligence as a result of technological advancements, such as the Internet of Things, big data collected with a variety of sensors or smartphone and mobile software applications. Thus, a new multi-disciplinary research area has been emerging over the recent past, which is expected to have a significant impact on society.

Professors Maria Virvou, George A. Tsihrintzis, Nikolaos G. Bourbakis and Lakhmi C. Jain have identified the lacuna in an appropriate, high-impact forum to publish related research and disseminate corresponding knowledge as it accumulates. Thus, they initiated a new Springer series under the title ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-ENHANCED SOFTWARE AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING. As they state, The book series AI-SSE publishes new developments and advances on all aspects of Artificial Intelligence-enhanced Software and Systems Engineeringquickly and with a high quality. The series provides a concise coverage of the particular topics from both the vantage point of a newcomer and that of a highly specialized researcher in these scientific disciplines, which results in a significant cross-fertilization and research dissemination. To maximize dissemination of research results and knowledge in these disciplines, the series will publish edited books, monographs, handbooks, textbooks and conference proceedings. Of particular value to both the contributors and the readership are the short publication timeframe and the world-wide distribution, which enable both wide and rapid dissemination of research output [4].