  Air interface is a fundamental component within any wireless communication
system. In Release 18, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) delves
into the possibilities of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)/machine
learning (ML) to improve the performance of the fifth-generation (5G) New Radio
(NR) air interface. This endeavor marks a pioneering stride within 3GPP's
journey in shaping wireless communication standards. This article offers a
comprehensive overview of the pivotal themes explored by 3GPP in this domain.
Encompassing a general framework for AI/ML and specific use cases such as
channel state information feedback, beam management, and positioning, it
provides a holistic perspective. Moreover, we highlight the potential
trajectory of AI/ML for the NR air interface in 3GPP Release 19, a pathway that
paves the journey towards the sixth generation (6G) wireless communication
systems that will feature integrated AI and communication as a key usage
scenario.
