Tony Cohn awarded EurAI Distinguished Service Award 2024

by Latest NewsMember News

Anthony Cohn Photo

It is with great pride and pleasure that we can announce the recipient of the EurAI Distinguished Service Award 2024 is AISB Fellow Anthony (Tony) G. Cohn, Professor of Automated Reasoning at the University of Leeds.Tony has served the European and international AI communities in numerous roles since the 1980s, including as president of both AISB and ECCAI/EurAI, as PC chair of ECAI-1994, and as editor-in-chief of the AI journal. Tony was presented with this award during the 50th Anniversary Session on the History of AI in Europe.

Spotlight Seminar 25th Oct 2024 – AI’s Challenge of Understanding the World

by AISB EventsLatest News

AISB/AIxIA Spotlight Seminar on AI, 25th Oct 2024

25 October 2024, 4pm (BST)

The AI*IA, in collaboration with the Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB), UK, is pleased to announce the first of the Winter 2024 seminars.

AI’s Challenge of Understanding the World

The seminar will be held by Melanie Mitchell and will be available for streaming on the YouTube channel of AIxIA at https://www.youtube.com/c/AIxIAit.

Abstract

I will survey a debate in the artificial intelligence (AI) research community on the extent to which current AI systems can be said to “understand” language and the physical and social situations language encodes. I will describe arguments that have been made for and against such understanding, hypothesize about what humanlike understanding entails, and discuss what methods can be used to fairly evaluate understanding and intelligence in AI systems.

Short Bio

Melanie Mitchell is Professor at the Santa Fe Institute. Her current research focuses on conceptual abstraction and analogy-making in artificial intelligence systems. Melanie is the author or editor of six books and numerous scholarly papers in the fields of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and complex systems. Her 2009 book Complexity: A Guided Tour (Oxford University Press) won the 2010 Phi Beta Kappa Science Book Award, and her 2019 book Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux) was shortlisted for the 2023 Cosmos Prize for Scientific Writing.


AISB/AI*IA Spotlight Seminars

The aim of the seminars is to illustrate, explore and discuss current scientific challenges, trends, and possibilities in all branches of our articulated research field. The seminars will be held virtually (https://www.youtube.com/c/AIxIAit), on a monthly basis, by leading Italian researchers as well as by top international scientists. The seminars are mainly aimed at a broad audience interested in AI research, and they are also included in the Italian PhD programme in Artificial Intelligence; indeed, AIxIA warmly encourages the attendance of young scientists and PhD students.

CFP: General Track, at AISB-2025, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, 14-16 January 2025

by AISB EventsAnnual Convention

As part of the AISB-2025 Annual Convention 2025 to be held at the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, 14-16 January 2025
https://aisb.org.uk/aisb-convention-2025-non-members/
The convention is organised by the Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB)
https://aisb.org.uk/

OVERVIEW

This track accommodates AI research that does not align with any of the other special tracks.

TOPICS OF INTEREST

  • Agents and multi-agent systems
  • Agent-based social simulation
  • Verification of AI systems
  • Combining learning and reasoning
  • Argumentation
  • AI & cyber security
  • Natural language processing
  • Knowledge representation

SUBMISSION AND PUBLICATION DETAILS

Submissions may be full papers or extended abstracts and should be sent to steve.battle@uwe.ac.uk with AISB GENERAL TRACK in the subject line.
We request that submitted papers are limited to eight pages, and extended abstracts are limited to 500-800 words. Each paper or abstract will receive at least two reviews. Selected papers will be published in the general proceedings of the AISB Convention, with the proviso that at least ONE author attends the symposium, in person, to present the paper and participate in general symposium activities.

IMPORTANT DATES

  1. Extended abstract submission deadline: Extended to December 1, 2024
  2. Notification of acceptance/rejection decisions: December 9, 2024
  3. Final versions of accepted papers (Camera ready copy): January 7, 2025
  4. Convention: 14-16 January 2025

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that there will be separate proceedings for each symposium, produced before the convention. Delegates will either receive a memory stick containing the proceedings of all the symposia, or this content will be available online. In previous years there have been awards for the best student paper, and limited student bursaries. These details will be circulated as and when they become available. Authors of a selection of the best papers may be invited to submit an extended version of the work to a journal special issue.

SYMPOSIUM ORGANISERS

SYMPOSIUM CHAIR: Dr Steve Battle, School of Computing and Creative Technologies, University of the West of England (UWE), Frenchay Campus, Bristol, UK.
steve.battle@uwe.ac.uk;
http://go.uwe.ac.uk/battle
PROGRAMME COMMITTEE: Ryan Fellows, Dr Steve Battle FCybs

CFP: Cybernetic and Robotics, at AISB-2025, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, 14-16 January 2025

by AISB EventsAnnual Convention

As part of the AISB-2025 Annual Convention 2025 to be held at the University of the West of England, Bristol, 14-16 January 2025
https://aisb.org.uk/aisb-convention-2025-non-members/
The convention is organised by the Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB)
https://aisb.org.uk/

OVERVIEW

Cybernetics is a multidisciplinary field that studies systems of communication, control, and feedback in both living organisms and machines. It is primarily concerned with how systems regulate themselves, maintain stability, and adapt to changes by the use of feedback loops. Cybernetics has been applied across many domains, including biology, engineering, and social systems, and its foundational concepts have significantly influenced artificial intelligence, and robotics. Cybernetics provides the theoretical framework for designing robots that can process information, learn from their environment, and adapt their behaviour. Robotics, in turn, applies these principles to create machines capable of performing complex tasks with varying degrees of autonomy, often mimicking biological systems.

TOPICS OF INTEREST

  • Cybernetics and its applications
  • Cognitive Robotics
  • Robot Ethics
  • Enactivism and Embodied Cognition
  • Robotics, Perception and Art
  • Sensorimotor Theory
  • Robot Language and Communication
  • Artificial Life and Cellular Automata

SUBMISSION AND PUBLICATION DETAILS

Submissions may be full papers or extended abstracts and should be sent to steve.battle@uwe.ac.uk with AISB CYBERNETICS AND ROBOTICS in the subject line.
We request that submitted papers are limited to eight pages, and extended abstracts are limited to 500-800 words. Each paper or abstract will receive at least two reviews. Selected papers will be published in the general proceedings of the AISB Convention, with the proviso that at least ONE author attends the symposium, in person, to present the paper and participate in general symposium activities.

IMPORTANT DATES

  1. Extended abstract submission deadline: Extended to December 1, 2024
  2. Notification of acceptance/rejection decisions: December 9, 2024
  3. Final versions of accepted papers (Camera ready copy): January 7, 2025
  4. Convention: 14-16 January 2025

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that there will be separate proceedings for each symposium, produced before the convention. Delegates will either receive a memory stick containing the proceedings of all the symposia, or this content will be available online. In previous years there have been awards for the best student paper, and limited student bursaries. These details will be circulated as and when they become available. Authors of a selection of the best papers may be invited to submit an extended version of the work to a journal special issue.

SYMPOSIUM ORGANISERS

SYMPOSIUM CHAIR: Dr Steve Battle, School of Computing and Creative Technologies, University of the West of England (UWE), Frenchay Campus, Bristol, UK.
steve.battle@uwe.ac.uk;
;
http://go.uwe.ac.uk/battle
PROGRAMME COMMITTEE: Prof Martin Smith CEng CPhys FIET FInstP FRSA FRAS FInst LM FRInst SMIEEE FCybS, Dr Steve Battle FCybs

IACAP and AISB to Host Joint Conference in July 2025

by AISB EventsLatest News

The International Association for Computing and Philosophy (IACAP) and the Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB) will host a joint conference in July 2025. Please see below for joint Call For Abstracts and Symposia Proposals.

Conference dates: July 1-3
Conference website: https://iacapconf.org/
Host Organisation Websites:
IACAP.org
AISB.org.uk
Conference location: Enschede, NL.
Conference host: University of Twente

Deadline for Symposia submission is 1 December 2025.

Keynote Speakers

AISB Keynote – Philip Brey
IACAP Covey Award Address – To be announced. Nominations: https://www.iacap.org/2024/10/02/call-for-nominations-the-covey-award-2025/
IACAP Simon Award Address – To be announced. Nominations: https://www.iacap.org/2024/10/02/call-for-nominations-the-simon-award-2025/

Call for Abstracts and Symposia Proposals

The International Association for Computing and Philosophy (IACAP) has a long-lasting tradition of promoting philosophical dialogue and interdisciplinary research on all aspects of computing as it relates to philosophy. IACAP’s members have contributed to shaping the philosophical (both theoretical and applied) debate about computing, information technologies, and artificial intelligence.

The Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB) is the largest Artificial Intelligence Society in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1964, the society has an international membership from academia and industry, with a serious interest in Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science and related areas. It is a member of the European Coordinating Committee for Artificial Intelligence.[AISB info], and topic suggestions from AISB’s side.

Our joint 2025 annual meeting will gather philosophers, ethicists, roboticists, and computer scientists and engineers interested topics that include:

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Ethics, Philosophy, and Societal Impact of AI and Computing
  • Robotics, Autonomous Systems, and Human-Machine Interaction
  • Cognitive Science and Computational Models of Mind and Behavior
  • Embodied, Ecological, and Distributed Cognition
  • Consciousness, Emotions, and Affective Computing

We welcome submissions of various kinds:

  • Symposia – will typically run one or two full days. Successful applicants will issue their own CfPs and organise reviews
  • Individual papers – typically as 30-minute talks (including Q&A)
  • Poster presentations – either submitted as such or as alternative format for individual papers
  • Workshops – more open, interactive format, typically as 90-minute sessions

Authors of papers are free to decide whether they submit their contributions to one of the accepted symposia or individually – depending on topical fit. Depending on format, submissions may be published in proceedings either as extended abstracts or as full papers.

Important Dates

  • Symposia Proposals extended due date: January 15, 2025
  • Notification of acceptance for Symposia proposals: December 9, 2024 for the submissions sent before December 1 2024. For the later submissions, January 30, 2025
  • Extended Abstracts (approx. 1000 words) for individual Presentations, Posters, and Workshops independent of Symposia, extended due date: January 15, 2025.
  • Notification of acceptance for Presentations, Posters, Workshops: March 31, 2025.
  • Conference registration opens: April 1, 2025. (For individual papers, posters, and workshops: In case you need a visa, please note this with your submission so that we can facilitate an early review.)

AISB Convention 2025 – Call for Symposia Proposals

by AISB EventsAnnual ConventionLatest NewsMember News

AISB Convention 2025 – CALL FOR SYMPOSIA PROPOSALS

priority deadline: 2 August 2024
regular deadline: 30 August 2024

14-16 January 2025, University of the West of England UWE, Bristol, UK
https://aisb.org.uk/aisb-convention-2025-non-members/

The society for the study of Artificial Intelligence and the Simulation of Behaviour (the AISB) annual convention will be held at UWE Bristol, UK on 14-16 January 2025. The convention will follow the same overall structure as previous conventions, namely a set of co-located, parallel symposia, as well as invited and plenary lectures and sessions. We are currently seeking proposals for these symposia. Typical symposia last for one or two days, and can include any type of event of academic benefit: talks, posters, panels, discussions, demonstrations, outreach sessions, etc. Proposals to run symposia are welcomed across all areas of Artificial Intelligence and the Simulation of Behaviour, broadly understood. This includes interdisciplinary topics rooted in the social sciences, arts, and humanities.

Possible themes are listed below (not an exhaustive list):

  • Knowledge Representation
  • Discourse and Dialogue
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Computational Intelligence
  • Computational Theory of Mind
  • Philosophical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
  • Consciousness and Machine Consciousness
  • Human and Machine Creativity
  • Simulation of Human and Animal Behaviour
  • Neural Networks and Machine Learning
  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Robotics and Robot Ethics
  • Epigenetic and Developmental Robotics
  • Autonomous Agents and Agent Based Computing
  • Enactivism
  • Embodied Cognition
  • Ecological Cognition
  • Embedded [Social] Cognition
  • Extended Cognition
  • Affective Intelligence and Behaviour
  • Embodied Audio-Visual Interaction
  • Style in Text; Textual Forensics
  • Robotics, Perception and Art
  • Live Algorithms
  • Cultural, Social and Media Theory and Computing
  • Sensorimotor Theory
  • Cybernetics and Human Knowing
  • Sensory Substitution
  • Distributed Thinking
  • Robot Language and Communication
  • Proposing a Symposium

Symposia Organisation

Each symposium is organised by its own organising committee. The committee proposes the symposium, defines the area(s) and structure for it, issues calls for abstracts/papers etc., manages the process of selecting submitted papers for inclusion, and compiles an electronic file for inclusion in the convention proceedings. Organisers are welcome and encouraged to invite keynote speakers to their symposia, but they are also encouraged to seek external funding in order to pay keynote speakers’ registration fees and other costs. Symposium organisers and all speakers will be expected to pay registration fees.
Proposers are welcome to submit, or be involved with more than one proposal.
Proposers need not already be members of the AISB (though you will be expected to join the AISB if your symposium proposal is accepted).

Symposium proposals will be handled in two phases: For early approval, apply by the priority deadline. This will ensure the symposium is hosted at AISB 2025 if it meets the basic criteria. Proposals received after the priority deadline but before the standard deadline will undergo the same process, but acceptance is subject to conference venue logistics, such as room availability.

Priority deadline for symposium proposals: 2 August 2024
Notification of acceptance (first round): 9 August 2024
Standard deadline for symposium proposals: 30 August 2024
Notification of acceptance (second round): 6 September 2024

Submissions should consist of the following:

  • A title
  • A 300-1000 word description of the scope of the symposium, and its relevance to the convention along with the nature of the academic events (talks, posters, panels, demonstrations, etc.)
  • Whether the symposium is intended as a sequel to a symposium at a previous AISB conference.
  • An indication of whether submissions will be by abstract, extended abstract or full paper.
  • Your preferences about the intended length of the symposium as a number of days (preferably one or two days, but anything from half a day to three days), together with a brief justification.
  • A description (up to 500 words) of any experience you have in organisation of academic research meetings (please note that it is not a requirement that you have such experience).
  • Names and affiliations of any invited speakers that you may have in mind for the symposium.
  • Your names and full contact details, together with, if possible, names and workplaces of the members of a preliminary, partial programme committee.

Please email your completed proposal to symposia-proposals@aisb.org.uk

Venue

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is thrilled to welcome you to our vibrant and dynamic campus, known for its cutting-edge facilities and strong connections with industry. We hope you enjoy your stay and take advantage of all that UWE Bristol and the beautiful city of Bristol have to offer. UWE Bristol’s main campus is located 2 miles from the M4 and M5 motorways and has good links with Bristol Parkway train station and city centre buses.

Spotlight Seminars on AI – Spring 2024 Program

by AISB EventsLatest News

The Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence (AI*IA), in collaboration with AISB (Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour, UK), is pleased to announce the Spring 2024 program of the Spotlight Seminars on AI.

Spotlight Seminars Autumn 2024 Programme

The aim of the seminars is to illustrate, explore and discuss current scientific challenges, trends, and possibilities in all branches of our articulated research field. The seminars will be held virtually on YouTube, on a monthly basis, by leading Italian researchers as well as by top international scientists.

The seminars are mainly aimed at a broad audience interested in AI research, and they are also included in the Italian PhD programme in Artificial Intelligence; indeed, AI*IA warmly encourages the attendance of young scientists and PhD students.

The “Spring 2024” edition features 3 seminars:

April, 29 – 5:00PM (CET)
Title: Consciousness and Laws of Learning
Speaker: MARCO GORI, University of Siena
Watch Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti0uPvIwyDM

May, 14 – 5:00PM (CET)
Title: Fostering Responsible AI with MLCommons
Speaker: ELENA SIMPERL, King’s College London

June, 20 – 5:00PM (CET)
Title: TBA
Speaker: GUY VAN DEN BROECK, UCLA

The joint AI*IA/AISB Committee of the Spotlight Seminars on AI:
Giuseppe De Giacomo
Floriana Grasso
Antonio Lieto
Bertie Muller
Luciano Serafini

AIAI becomes AIAI

by Member News

The Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute (AIAI) was created by the University of Edinburgh in 1983 to work alongside its academic Department of Artificial Intelligence to encourage the development and take-up of artificial intelligence methods. Over the years it has created many innovative applications of AI with a wide range of clients, government agencies and collaborators. In 2001 it became part of the Centre for Intelligent Systems and their Applications (CISA) within the School of Informatics at Edinburgh continuing to lead its AI applications-orientated work. On 1st December 2019, the name of the Centre was changed to the “Artificial Intelligence and its Applications Institute” (AIAI) to reflect both the continuing research and applications aspects of the work. Applied AI work continues to be performed by staff, students and collaborators across the School of Informatics.

Austin Tate, Emeritus Professor of Knowledge-Based Systems, University of Edinburgh

Note: an extended version of this announcement, together with details of the history of Artificial Intelligence research at Edinburgh since 1963, will feature in the upcoming issue of the AISB Quarterly magazine.