http://www.c3.lanl.gov/~joslyn/ISAS98/
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Semiotics of Autonomous Information Systems
a special session at the
1998 Conference on Intelligent Systems and Semiotics (ISAS98)
September 14-17, 1998
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, Maryland U.S.A.
Session Chairs: Cliff Joslyn and Luis Rocha
Call for Papers
A crucial aspect of the modern Information Sciences, from robotics to
self-organizing databases, is the manner and extent to which information
systems can be said to be "autonomous". Of course, there are many different
sense of autonomy, from mere physical separation to the establishment of
complex functional boundaries; but in all cases some form of closure is
required. For many classes of information systems, autonomy is defined by
the existence of a semiotic closure. This is the case, for example, with
biological systems, whose autonomy is enabled by their own genetic
information in the context of their environment.
The aim of this session is to collect scientific, conceptual, and
engineering advances in the issues surrounding the important open questions
concerning the necessary relation, if any, between autonomy and semiotics
in other classes of information systems, for example: in robotics and
control systems, where physical autonomy is more or less assumed, but where
issues of semantic grounding are paramount; in agent-based technology,
where functional forms of autonomy are intended, but again crucial semiotic
questions remain; in Artificial Life, which has struggled to develop
meaningful senses of autonomy in relation to semiotic categories; and
finally in the development of web-based information systems and virtual
environments, where we hope to imbue our information systems with
significant forms of autonomy.
In each of these cases, there are significant open questions concerning the
sense of autonomy which is meant, or might be achievable, and whether there
may or must be consideration of the semiotic properties of these systems,
including the nature of symbol generation, manipulation, and interpretation.
Topics of Interest:
Agent-based systems
Distributed intelligence systems
Artificial Life, Adaptive and Evolutionary Systems
Conceptual issues (autonomy, semiotics, embodiment, autopoiesis, the nature
of information systems)
Web-Based (Internet) Systems and Data-Mining
Situated Robotics and Embodiment
Distributed control systems
Important Dates:
February 27, 1998 - Submit extended abstract (more than 250 words)
April 1, 1998 - Full Papers Due to conference organizers
May 8, 1998 - Notification of acceptance by conference organizers
June 12, 1998 - Final Camera-Ready Due
Submission Details:
Abstract: Submit electronically to joslyn@lanl.gov and rocha@lanl.gov.
Submit hardcopies to Cliff Joslyn, Computer Research and Applications
Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS P990, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
Clearly indicate who will serve as the corresponding author and include
the title, the name of the author(s), affiliation, address, telephone
number, fax, and e-mail address.
Submit five copies of your paper (including an abstract) should to be
received by April 1, 1998, to the conference organizers. Please indicate
submission to the session on the Semiotics of Autonomous Information
Systems. Papers should be limited to 6 pages including abstract, figures,
and tables (i.e., two column format, 10pt Times font, and 8.5 x 11 inch
paper). Please mail your submission to:
ISIC/CIRA/ISAS 98 Submissions NIST, Intelligent Systems Division Building
220, Room B124 Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
Phone: 301-975-3418
Fax: 301-990-9688
E-mail: is98.submit@cme.nist.gov
Notification of final acceptance, and the author's kit including final
instructions for camera-ready copy submission, will be mailed by May 8,
1998.
The full paper typed in camera-ready form must be received by June 12, 1998.