Conference chair´s message

The research area of our COE program, which started in 2002, covers: (1) Automatic recognition and understanding of image, speech and language media for knowledge acquisition, and human-machine interfaces based on cognitive science and human information science. (2) Database and knowledge-based systems and communication systems for efficient storage, sharing, retrieval and circulation of digital content and acquired knowledge. (3) Basic theory, algorithm and modeling that support the development of knowledge society infrastructure. (4) Construction of social information system in knowledge society. This project places major emphasis on the central technology of the society of knowledge, which differs from the central task whose aim is to develop conventional types of computers of high efficiency. For this purpose, research was promoted under four distinct groups. Group 1: Real World Media Processing for Development of Knowledge Society Infrastructure Group 2: Cognitive Science and Human Interface for Development of Knowledge Society Infrastructure Group 3: Knowledge Sharing, Retrieval, and Distribution for Development of Knowledge Society Infrastructure Group 4: Algorithms, Modeling, and Theory for Development of Knowledge Society Infrastructure Research for the development of knowledge society infrastructure indicates a desirable future direction for informatics as an academic discipline. We consider it highly important. We believe that continuous progress of this COE program can extract new problems and envision the ideal form of informatics, through collaborations with external sectors including universities, industries, international institutes, and local communities, as well as collaborations with other organizations within Kyoto University.