The advancement of science and technology is an important indicator of a nation’s overall strength. More recently, with the rise of new generation artifi-cial intelligence (AI), we are facing a new industrial revolution. For example, the development of intelli-gent unmanned systems (IUSs) will soon become a landmark achievement for AI development. In the next 3–5 years, applications of intelligent robots (service, industry, etc.) in China will have a wide range of advancements. In particular, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will attain multi-industry, large-scale applications. The autopilot system will soon complete a demonstration project. This means China will develop the core common technology of rail transit autonomous driving. Significant progress will be made in intelligent workshops and factories, and a set of Chinese standards in line with interna-tional standards will be formed. IUS is an artificial system that can be operated or managed using advanced technology without any human intervention. Over the years, humans have created various types of unmanned systems. More importantly, as human knowledge develops, the technology level of unmanned systems is gradually improved. IUS is also a complex system, which is composed of many technologies, such as machinery, control, computer, communication, and material. AI is undoubtedly one of the key technologies needed to develop IUSs. Autonomy and intelligence are the two most important characteristics of IUSs. The most effective way to achieve and continuously improve these two characteristics is to use various technologies of AI, such as intelligent perception (image, voice recognition, etc.), human-computer interaction, intelligent decision-making, learning, and reasoning. Unmanned systems are a variety of systems de-veloped to work without human inputs, but the highest level of “unmanned” systems is man-machine integration. Specifically, human-computer integration means that human beings connect their nervous system with computers and other machines to make up for the defects of human senses and movement, and to determine the integration of human consciousness and computer AI. The combination of AI and unmanned systems is expected to develop technologies that can alter life, so as to strengthen human function (especially the disabled and the elderly) and to improve the quality of human life. Generally, human-computer integration includes human-computer co-operation. The relationship between human and ma-chine is no longer a master-slave relationship, or an alternative relationship, but a partnership. Efficiency and flexibility can be improved, if people control multiple unmanned systems to work together; the coordination and interaction between people and unmanned systems will significantly improve dif-ferent aspects of the capabilities of the systems. However, for a considerable part of labor-intensive work, the unmanned system may not be efficient. Therefore, IUSs will be an important embodiment of man-machine integration. Compared with the traditional unmanned system, the IUS has more potential to applications. The emergence of various types of IUSs will have a sig-nificant impact on human life and society. At present, IUSs include mainly autonomous driving vehicles, UAVs, service-oriented robots, intelligent industrial robots, space robots, marine robots, and unmanned workshop/intelligent factories. The new generation AI development plan re-leased by China captures “intelligent technology of autonomous unmanned systems.” It focuses on breaking through common technologies such as computing architecture of autonomous unmanned system, perception and understanding of complex dynamic scene, real-time precise positioning, adap-tive intelligent navigation for complex environment, autonomous control of UAV, intelligent technologies including self-driving automobile, ship and rail transit, and core technologies (such as service robot and special robot), supporting the application and industrial development of unmanned systems. In this context, the Chinese Academy of Engi-neering organized a special issue on IUSs in Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering. The types of IUSs examined in this special issue include robotic exoskeleton, intelligent ground vehicles, underwater vehicles, and UAVs. After rigorous review processes, 10 papers have been selected for this special issue, including two review articles, one tutorial, and seven research articles.