Intelligent System (IS) techniques have been continuously attracting attentions for a variety of electric power engineering applications. A recent article has summarized, from a selection of the state-of-the-art research works, the key areas in which power systems and energy markets can benefit most from IS techniques. Along with the notable capability in solving problems like electricity market simulation, market risk management, power grid planning and voltage control, the potential of IS in facilitating power system real-time stability assessment for blackout prevention has also been clearly shown in recent years. This article systematically describes the incentive, benefit, and process of constructing IS for power system real-time stability assessment, and discusses some most critical issues in the development and implementation stages. Also, on the basis of our own research output, some possible solutions to the problems are provided. Hopefully, more attention and research efforts can be drawn, to this promising while challenging topic.