Today, many sectors depend heavily on information and communication technologies. The growth and development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has led to their wide diffusion and application, thus increasing their economic and social impact. The internet, television, computer-based devices, mobile phones, and other forms of information technology are developing at a rapid pace. They also pose challenges and have to be managed.
The EC Information Society Technologies Advisory Group defines the vision 'Ambient Intelligence' of the Information Society in order to combine the most successful areas of the ICT (wireless communication technologies, consumer electronics, Automotive and Aerospace technologies). Ambient Intelligence emphasizes on greater user-friendliness, support for human interactions, more efficient services support, and user-empowerment. In this vision, people will be surrounded by intelligent and intuitive interfaces embedded in everyday objects around us and an environment recognizing and responding to the presence of individuals in an invisible way by year 2010.