On the Covert Coordination of Quantum Entanglement for Secure Data Delivery in AIoT-Enabled Urban Infrastructures

As urban environments become increasingly connected through intelligent IoT systems, the need for secure and discreet data transmission is growing. Therefore, this paper introduces a covert quantum communication framework designed for Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)-enabled infrastructures. The approach relies on entanglement distribution across urban rooftops and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) relays using free-space optical links, enabling secure communication. A timeline-based scheduler coordinates when and how entangled qubit pairs are generated, buffered, and swapped while keeping the probability of detection below a strict threshold. The system adapts in real time based on local feedback and environmental conditions, utilising lightweight machine-learning techniques to enhance scheduling efficiency and resilience. It enables the secure delivery of IoT-generated data without revealing network activity, which is a critical feature for smart cities, industrial sites and healthcare systems where data privacy is essential. The research work also outlines key technical challenges, including buffer limitations, UAV mobility, and multi-hop coordination, while discussing future research directions in integrating quantum and classical infrastructure.