[2603.26722] Brain-inspired AI for Edge Intelligence: a systematic review

Computer Science > Neural and Evolutionary Computing arXiv:2603.26722 (cs) [Submitted on 19 Mar 2026] Title:Brain-inspired AI for Edge Intelligence: a systematic review Authors:Yingchao Cheng, Meijia Wang, Zhifeng Hao, Rajkumar Buyya View a PDF of the paper titled Brain-inspired AI for Edge Intelligence: a systematic review, by Yingchao Cheng and 3 other authors View PDF HTML (experimental) Abstract:While Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) promise to circumvent the severe Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constraints of edge intelligence, the field currently faces a "Deployment Paradox" where theoretical energy gains are frequently negated by the inefficiencies of mapping asynchronous, event-driven dynamics onto traditional von Neumann substrates. Transcending the reductionism of algorithm-only reviews, this survey adopts a rigorous system-level hardware-software co-design perspective to examine the 2020-2025 trajectory, specifically targeting the "last mile" technologies - from quantization methodologies to hybrid architectures - that translate biological plausibility into silicon reality. We critically dissect the interplay between training complexity (the dichotomy of direct learning vs. conversion), the "memory wall" bottlenecking stateful neuronal updates, and the critical software gap in neuromorphic compilation toolchains. Finally, we envision a roadmap to reconcile the fundamental "Sync-Async Mismatch," proposing the development of a standardized Neuromorphic OS as the fo...