Conference reports

Citation

Hutton, D.M. (1998), "Conference reports", Kybernetes, Vol. 27 No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.1998.06727hab.003

Conference reports

Conference reports

The 18th International Conference on Knowledge-Based Systems and Artificial Intelligence ­ ES98 ­ December 1998

Organised by the British Computer Society Specialist Group SGES, which is the Specialist Group on Knowledge-Based Systems and Applied Artificial Intelligence.

The British Computer Society Specialist Group on Systems (SGES), latest in the successful ESxx conference series was held in Cambridge, UK from 14-16 December 1998. As in previous years the conference aimed to bring together researchers and application developers from business, industrial and academic communities to discuss issues and solutions to problems based on techniques derived from Artificial Intelligence (AI). ES98 combined: papers illustrating recent technical advances in AI; case studies describing real world applications; tutorials addressing the latest developments in practical AI; and an exhibition of tools and software. Each of these areas is described in more detail below.

The conference offered a unique mix of the latest in technological development in AI, tempered with practical experience of real problems. Delegates discussed their ideas and problems with research staff working at the leading edge of AI developments and with non-academics scarred by the practical issues of getting systems into service. The conference schedule was designed to allow time for relaxed discussions with other delegates and with exhibitors, as well as including some 40 technical and applications papers.

As in previous years, the conference ran two parallel streams of case studies and technical papers. All papers are rigorously refereed to ensure that those selected meet the needs of the delegates. For each stream a keynote address by an acknowledged international expert in the field was given.

The applications stream presented up to 20 papers describing practical applications of AI. This is the largest annual showcase in Europe of real application using AI technology and the ideal place to meet with those working to make successful AI-based applications. Papers in recent years have covered topics as diverse as: KBS to support military spares management; AI support to the use of multi-lingual technical documentation; use of CBR to prevent repeating metallurgical defects; data mining in the paper industry; improved operation of blast furnaces; better energy management, applications of intelligent agents; knowledge management and the application of neural networks to the analysis of the performance of divers.

Papers are selected to highlight critical areas of success (and failure) and to present the benefits and lessons of value to other developers.

The technical stream presented the best of recent developments in AI, covering a wide range of technical areas. Papers were invited in the following domains: knowledge-based systems; knowledge engineering; constraint satisfaction; intelligent agents; machine learning; model based reasoning; verification and validation of AI systems; natural language understanding; case based reasoning; neural networks; genetic algorithms; data mining and knowledge discovery in databases.

An exhibition of tool and software suppliers was included in the event. This offered delegates a chance to view the latest developments in AI tool support and to discuss the suitability of different packages. The exhibition augmented the scheduled presentations given by suppliers and offered a further opportunity to gather information on leading software tools.

Full details at the time of writing are still available on: http//:www.sis.port.ac.uk/_bramerma/sges/es98/es98.htm.

"Knowledge Management" conference and exhibition

The "Knowledge Management" exhibition and conference has been declared a success in its first year and it is hoped that it will continue to be held in the coming years.

The Knowledge Management exhibition and conference, the first event of its kind to focus on knowledge management as both a strategic and practical business tool, took place for the first time on 2-3 April 1998, at The Royal Horticultural Halls and Conference Centre in London, UK and attracted 1,427 visitors. Those of us who were able to attend found it a most stimulating event and one which provided an insight into current developments.

A small, targeted event, the exhibition featured 24 key organisations from the field of knowledge management, specialising in information management systems, databases, intranet solutions, groupware and communications software. In addition, the sell out conference addressed knowledge management from the different facets of technology, information business processes and strategic direction. Knowledge Management is a magazine that is well respected in the field and its sponsorship of the event was much appreciated.

Jill Collins, marketing director of Learned Information says:

The show has been a huge success both in terms of the quality and quantity of visitors thus reflecting the growing significance of managing information and of sharing best practice in implementing knowledge management strategies. We are delighted that Knowledge Management has proven to be so successful in its first year and that next year the exhibition and conference will be taking place in the much larger venue of Olympia 2. We are also looking at three further venues ­ provisionally Dublin, Birmingham and Manchester ­ to host Knowledge Management exhibitions and conferences in the next 12 months.

Most attendees will agree with Learned Information Europe's spokesperson who says that:

The new system of visitors pre-booking to attend exhibitor product demonstrations was particularly well received, guaranteeing access to products of specific interest and creating a "business-friendly" environment. The majority of the presentations were fully booked in advance.

Information Dimensions, a leading provider of large-scale document management systems, was showcasing its document management software, BASIS, at the show. The company's Director, Operations UK and Eire, Simon Hamilton, says:

Knowledge Management was a good show in every respect ­ our hourly presentations were well attended by interested people and the stand had a continuous flow of visitors. Overall, Information Dimensions was impressed with the event and the high quality of the attendees. We will certainly be attending the show next year if it keeps to the same format.

Demonstrating its range of services for the IT manager and the corporate information professional, Information Access Company's head of UK Corporate Field Sales, reported that:

We have seen many of our key customers at the show and have also been pleasantly surprised by the number of new leads generated. The new format of product presentations has worked really well and we had an excellent response.

Knowledge Management has provisional dates for next year at Olympia 2 in London, 23-24 March 1999. Further information about this endeavour can be obtained from Learned Information Europe Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1865 388000; Fax: +44 (0)1865 736354; E-mail: marketing@learned.co.uk

D.M. Hutton