The field of soft matter has undergone significant evolution in the past decade, transitioning from a focus on nanoparticle-based soft matter and 2D materials to bioinspired, functional, and responsive materials. The next ambitious step involves the development of intelligent or cognizant soft matter as a new frontier, where materials may possess properties that enable them to comprehend the environment and generate a response. This includes advancements in swarm intelligence, soft robotics, and 4D materials that can change shape over time in response to external stimuli. This innovative concept aims to bridge the gap between self-learning, adaptive soft materials and sensors, artificial intelligence and decision-making in distributed systems. Furthermore, it can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between the microstructure of materials and their ability for autonomous and decentralized decision making and response. Finally, intelligent artificial soft systems might be instructive for a better understanding of biological systems, moving toward the knowledge-based design of synthetic cells with life-like functions.