[mod.ai] Conference - AAAI-87 Workshop on Real-Time Processing

cross@AFIT-AB.ARPA (03/23/87)

The AAAI-87 Workshop committee has approved a workshop to be held on
Tuesday, July 14, 1987 entitled "Real-Time Processing in Knowledge-Based
Systems."  A call for participation follows.

   Workshop on Real-Time Processing in Knowledge-Based Systems

     AI techniques are maturing to the point where application 
in  knowledge   intensive,  but  time constrained situations is 
desired.  Examples include monitoring large dynamic systems  such 
as  nuclear power plants;   providing timely advice based on time
varying  data  bases such as in  stock  market  analysis;  sensor
interpretation  and management in hospital intensive care  units, 
or  in military command and control environments;  and  diagnoses 
of  malfunctions in airborne aircraft.   The goal of the workshop 
is to gain a better understanding of the fundamental issues  that 
now  preclude  real-time  processing and to provide a  focus  for 
future research. Specific issues that will be discussed include:

     Pragmatic  Issues:   What is real-time performance?  What 
metrics are available for evaluating performance?

     Parallel  Computation:   How  can  parallel  computation  be 
exploited to achieve  real-time performance?    What  performance 
improvements  can  be gained by maximizing  and  integrating  the 
inherent  parallelism  at all levels in a knowledge-based  system 
(e.g., application through the hardware levels).

     Knowledge Organization Issues:  What novel approaches can be
to maximize the efficiency of knowledge retrieval?

     Meta-Level  Problem  Solving:   How can intelligent  problem 
solving agents reason about and react to varying time-to-solution 
resources?   What  general  purpose or domain  specific  examples 
exist  of  problem solving strategies  employed  under  different 
time-to-solution constraints?  What are the tradeoffs in terms of 
space, quality of solution, and completeness of solution.

     Complexity  Issues:   How  can an intelligent  agent  reason 
about the inherent complexity of a problem?

     Algorithm Issues:  What novel problem solving methods can be 
exploited?   How can specialized hardware (for example ,  content 
addressable memories) be exploited?

     To  encourage  vigorous  interaction and exchange  of  ideas 
between  those  attending,   the  workshop  will  be  limited  to 
approximately  30  participants  (and  only  two  from  any   one 
organization).  The workshop is scheduled for July 14, 1987, as a 
parallel  activity  during  AAAI 87,  and will last  for  a  day. 

     All  participants are required to submit an abstract (up  to 
500   words) and a proposed list of discussion  questions.   Five 
copies  should  be submitted to the workshop chairman by  May  1, 
1987.   The   discussion   questions  will  help   the   workshop 
participant's  focus  on the fundamental issues in  real-time  AI 
processing.

     Because  of  the  brief  time involved   for  the  workshop, 
participants  will be divided into several discussion groups.   A 
group  chairman will present a 30 minute summary of  his  group's 
abstracts during the first session.   In addition,  the committee 
reserves  the right to arrange for invited  presentations.   Each 
group  will be assigned several questions for  discussion.   Each 
group  will  provide a summary of their groups  discussion.   The 
intent  of  the workshop is to promote creative discussion  which 
will spawn some exciting ideas for research.

Workshop Chairman:

     Stephen E.  Cross, AFWAL/AAX, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-
     6583, (513) 255-5800. arpanet: cross@afit-ab.arpa

Organizing Committee:

      Dr. Northrup Fowler III, Rome Air Development Center
      Dr. Barbara Hayes-Roth, Stanford University
      Dr. Michael Fehling, Rockwell Palo Alto AI Research Lab
      Ms. Ellen Waldrum, Computer Science Laboratory, Texas 
          Instruments
      Dr. Paul Cohen, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Invited Talks From:

      Dr. Michael Fehling, Rockwell Palo Alto AI Research Lab
      Dr. Barbara Hayes-Roth, Stanford University
     *Dr. Vic Lesser, University of Massachuesetts at Amherst 
      
     *tentative