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Considers the material impact of computers and cybernetics in the 1980s. Summarizes some of the then current principal applications. Looks at the contribution made by cybernetics to computer development in the period 1940‐1981. Emphasises the widely held belief of the day that “anyone must have some understanding of computers and their operation to understand much about cybernetics”. The re‐published work served as a guide and introduction to using the digital computers of the 1980s in systems and cybernetics research and developments and was one in a series of 12 texts prepared by some well‐known cyberneticians and systemists on important topics in these inter‐ and trans‐disciplinary sciences.

Reports and surveys are given of the selected current research and developments in systems and cybernetics. They include: Cybernetics Machine, Quantum Computer, Computers with Living Brain Cells, Computer with Handwriting Input, Neural Networks.

A new artificial intelligence (AI) project in Israel. A national centre for artificial intelligence, which covers the fields of computer science, neurosciences and psychology, has been founded at the Weizmann Institute at Rehovot in Israel. The research team hopes to understand some of the facets of the human thought process and apply their results to the creation of machines which “can learn from experience”, “understand and speak a natural language”, and “assess situations”. The aim is to produce a machine with “Common sense”. Initially work will be carried out in vision capabilities (Professor Ullman), and the development of hardware and language for parallel processing. The institute will also conduct research into advanced robotics (Dr Flash) with a particular interest in manipulator kinematics and dynamics as well as trajectory planning.

Selected reports and surveys of current research and developments in systems and cybernetics are given. They include: Science in the UK, Management Cybernetics, Neural Nets, Computer‐designed Drugs, and Medical Cybernetics.

Developments in communications are now of prime interest to all cyberneticians. In particular, the need to provide instant and direct communications between computers, work stations and other equipment regardless of location and type, for applications such as computer‐aided design, software engineering and office automation is immediate.

Texas instruments has a cheap starter kit for newcomers to AI computing. For a mere £135, five video tapes of the highlights of the company's satellite symposia on AI are provided. Also included are “hands‐on” PC‐compatible demonstration software, a 35 mm colour slide presentation on the theory and benefits of AI, a set of literature which contains two copies of “Understanding Artificial Intelligence” — Texas Instrument's book on AI — and a copy of an issue of Intelligence, its AI newsletter. The company will provide full details; write to: TI/AI Starter Kit, PO Box 50, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK.

Humans acquire knowledge through their central nervous system and models of this process are the first connection between cognition and cybernetics. Taking this as its starting point, this article examines parallels between human psychology and the central nervous system, and models of computer systems; both are required to receive, process and interpret information. The author discusses the human neural system and neural nets and how these can be likened to Computer‐Aided Knowledge systems.

This bibliometric mapping study aimed to provide comprehensive insights into the global research landscape of cybernetics. Utilizing the biblioshiny function in R Studio, we conducted an analysis spanning 1958 to 2023, sourcing data from Scopus. This research focuses on key terms such as cybernetics, cybernetics systems, complex adaptive systems, viable system models (VSM), agent-based modeling, feedback loops and complexity systems.

The analysis leveraged R Studio’s biblioshiny function to perform bibliometric mapping. Keyword searches were conducted within titles, abstracts and keywords, targeting terms central to cybernetics. The timespan, 1958–2023, provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of cybernetics-related literature. The data were extracted from Scopus to ensure a robust and widely recognized source.

The results revealed a rich and interconnected global research network in cybernetics. The word cloud analysis highlights prominent terms such as “agent-based modeling,” “complex adaptive systems,” “feedback loop,” “viable system model” and “cybernetics.” Notably, the journal Kybernetes has emerged as a focal point, with significant citations, solidifying its position as a key source within the cybernetics research domain. The bibliometric map provides visual clarity regarding the relationships between various concepts and their evolution over time.

This study contributes original insights by employing advanced bibliometric techniques in R Studio to map the cybernetics research landscape. The comprehensive analysis sheds light on the evolution of key concepts and the global collaborative networks shaping cybernetics research. The identification of influential sources, such as Kybernetes, adds value to researchers seeking to navigate and contribute to the dynamic field of cybernetics. Furthermore, this study highlights that cybernetics not only provides a useful framework for understanding and managing major economic shocks but also offers perspectives for understanding phenomena in various fields such as economics, medicine, environmental sciences and climate change.

This article has been written in memory of Norbert Wiener and is dedicated to him. Takes a look at how cybernetics provides an extremely useful framework for the control and operation of real‐world systems. With the true advent of computers and simple communications, many more processes can and will be viewed from a systems standpoint. Examples are given of how cybernetics can be applied to industrial processes and how it is seen as an important, integral part of future systems science.

AUTOMATION IN THE STEEL INDUSTRY The results of the rapid expansion in the fields of Process Control and Automation since the 1960's are now being seen in industrial applications. Although these industrial applications vary, they now cover the wide range of control systems, from small single processor monitoring systems to large mutli‐processor configurations. The Steel industry provides many examples of the intelligent application of such systems, particularly in controlled instrumentation. Earlier developments in this field produced units which were simply additions of existing Analogue and Digital computers to basic spectrographic equipment for calculation purposes. Since the 1970's, however, the complete control of the Analytical instrument has been the common practice.