Knowledge And Experience In Artificial Intelligence

Via G. Galilei 5, 21027 Ispra (VA), Italy The period since the last conference in this series has been characterized by the explosive expansion of AI out of the confines of institutions of basic research like university departments into the worlds of industry, business, and government (a development I had long expected). But it seems to me that there are plenty-perhaps an overabundance-of other occasions, other conferences, other workshops, and the like, at which the applications of AI would appropriately be considered. In fact, it is ironic-though perhaps it may be understandable-that precisely now, when the outside world has discovered and started showing its appreciation of AI and its potential, there is a widespread malaise among research workers in the field about the health of their subject. This malaise has to do not only with logistic issues such as the drain of very good people from research into applications, or some of the gross inadequacies of structural and funding support by governments. It has to do also with the very heart and methodology of the subject.