Inference server and environment controller for inferring one or more commands for controlling an appliance. The environment controller receives at least one environmental characteristic value (for example, at least one of a current temperature, current humidity level, current carbon dioxide level, and current room occupancy) and at least one set point (for example, at least one of a target temperature, target humidity level, and target carbon dioxide level); and forwards them to the inference server. The inference server executes a neural network inference engine using a predictive model (generated by a neural network training engine) for inferring the one or more commands based on the received at least one environmental characteristic value and the received at least one set point; and transmits the one or more commands to the environment controller. The environment controller forwards the one or more commands to the controlled appliance.