ES2000: The Twentieth Annual International Conference on Knowledge Based Systems and Applied Artificial Intelligence Cambridge, England, December 11th-13th 2000 Organised by SGES: The British Computer Society Specialist Group on Knowledge-Based Systems and Applied Artificial Intelligence --------------------------------------------------------------------- The conference programme and registration form are now available on the conference website at http://www.bcs-sges.org/es2000/. A summary of the main features is given below. A PDF version of the conference brochure is also available on the website. If you would like to be sent a (paper) copy or copies of this brochure, or have any queries about the conference, please contact our administrator Maria Doran (tel: +44 (0) 151 794 6793, fax: +44 (0) 151 794 6703, email sges-conference@bcs.org.uk). Copies of the brochure will automatically be sent to all current members of SGES. There are discounts on the registration fees for early registration (by November 12th) and for members of SGES or any other AI society which is a member of ECCAI. There is also a specially reduced rate for students. Max Bramer Chairman, BCS-SGES ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY OF MAIN FEATURES TWO-DAY CONFERENCE: TUESDAY DECEMBER 12TH - WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13TH 2000 The conference will run two parallel streams. The Applications Stream will present refereed papers describing practical applications of AI, highlighting critical areas of success (and failure) and presenting lessons of value to other developers, together with an invited keynote lecture by Dr. Dan Clancy (NASA Ames Research Center) entitled 'Model-based Autonomy for System Health Management of a Next Generation Space Shuttle'. The Technical Stream will present refereed papers on important recent technical developments, together with an invited keynote lecture by Professor Austin Tate (University of Edinburgh) on 'Intelligible AI Planning'. The papers in both streams have been rigorously refereed. Accepted papers from the two streams will be published by Springer-Verlag as separate volumes in its BCS Conference Series, entitled Research and Development in Intelligent Systems XVII and Applications and Innovations in Intelligent Systems VIII. The best papers from each stream of the conference will be reprinted as a special issue of the international journal Knowledge Based Systems. The conference will also feature presentations by suppliers and an exhibition of leading AI tool and software providers. TUTORIAL/WORKSHOP DAY: MONDAY DECEMBER 11TH 2000 This preliminary day will be devoted to a range of tutorials and workshops providing practical knowledge of recent developments in AI. UK CBR WORKSHOP: MONDAY DECEMBER 11TH 2000 SGES is hosting this year's UK CBR workshop which will be held at Peterhouse College, Cambridge, UK on Monday December 11th. A special rate is available for those attending the main conference on the following two days. SGES are also subsidising a reduced rate for non-presenting students. ********************************************* ********************************************* The British Computer Society: SGES The Specialist Group on Knowledge-Based Systems and Applied Artificial Intelligence ES2000: Cambridge, England, December 11th-13th 2000 Call for Papers http://www.bcs-sges.org/es2000/ ES2000 is the twentieth Annual International Conference of the British Computer Society's Specialist Group on Knowledge Based Systems and Applied Artificial Intelligence (SGES). The scope of the conference has expanded over recent years to cover not just traditional knowledge based systems, but to include the whole range of AI technologies and application areas. Its principal aims are to review recent technical advances in AI technologies and to show how these advances have been applied to solve business problems. To meet these objectives, ES2000 has two parallel streams of refereed and invited papers, one on technology and one on applications. The programme also includes tutorials to provide greater depth in selected topics. Our aim is for ES2000 to have the widest possible appeal to the industrial, commercial and academic communities throughout Europe. As in previous years the conference aims to bring together researchers and developers from a wide range of academic, research and industrial backgrounds. Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss their ideas and problems with research staff working at the leading edge of AI developments and with developers with experience of the practical issues of getting systems into operation. The conference will qualify for the IEE and BCS CPD schemes. In addition to the formal sessions, the conference programme includes a welcome reception and a Gala Dinner. Plenty of time has been inserted into the programme to allow discussions with other delegates and time to make new contacts and renew old acquaintances. ES2000 offers a valuable opportunity to keep up to date with developments in AI and to share experiences in the practical issues of developing AI based systems. CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS The Conference continues to build on the success of previous years, with a two-track event containing fully refereed technical and applications papers. The Technical Stream aims to present the best of recent developments in AI, covering a wide range of technical areas. Contributions are invited in the form of papers of up to fourteen A4 pages presenting original work in AI. Areas of interest include (but are not restricted to): knowledge based systems; knowledge engineering; constraint satisfaction; intelligent agents; machine learning; model based reasoning; verification and validation of AI systems; natural language understanding; case based reasoning; neural networks; genetic algorithms; data mining and knowledge discovery in databases. The Application Stream is the largest annual showcase in Europe of real applications using AI technology. Contributions are invited in the form of papers of up to fourteen A4 pages presenting case studies describing the application of AI to address real-world problems. Papers in recent years have covered topics as diverse as: KBS to support military spares management; Natural Language to support multi-lingual technical documentation; CBR to prevent repeating metallurgical defects; data mining in the paper industry; applications of intelligent agents; knowledge management and the application of neural networks. Papers are selected to highlight critical areas of success (and failure) and to present the benefits and lessons of value to other developers. Submitted papers should make these points clear. Guidance notes for Application Stream authors are available from the website. Formatting Instructions The conference proceedings will again be published in book form by Springer-Verlag in their BCS Conference series. The books will be prepared from camera-ready copy supplied by the authors of accepted papers. Formatting specifications for the proceedings have been provided by the publisher and are available from the website. NOTE: It is preferred (but not a requirement) that submitted papers should comply with these formatting instructions. Authors of accepted papers will be asked to resubmit in the specified format. The length limit of 14 pages will be strictly enforced. Those wishing to submit papers should give advance notice by sending in an abstract as soon as possible. Four printed copies of papers (maximum 14 sides of A4) should be sent to the ES2000 Administrator to arrive by 19th June 2000. Authors should indicate the stream to which their papers are being submitted. Tutorials & Workshops The Conference Committee invites proposals for tutorials or workshops to be presented on the first day of the conference. Proposals for full and half day tutorials, from an individual or group of presenters should be directed in the first instance to the ES2000 Tutorial Organiser. Exhibition A tabletop exhibition will run alongside the Conference. There will be a limited number of spaces available and potential exhibitors are encouraged to book early, as these will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibitors should contact the Deputy Conference Chairman (Exhibition). Sponsorship The Conference Committee is keen to make contact with any organisations who may wish to sponsor the Conference, in whole or in part. Sponsorship will ensure the highest visibility for the benefactor, both through the appearance of the company logo on all promotional literature and in references to the Conference in all media exposure prior to and after the event. Potential sponsors should contact the Deputy Conference Chairman (Finance and Publicity). IMPORTANT DATES Title/Abstract Notification: ASAP Full Paper Submission: 19th June 2000 Notification of Acceptance: 14th August 2000 Camera Ready Paper: 18th September 2000 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE Conference Chairman: Dr Frans Coenen, University of Liverpool (frans@csc.liv.ac.uk) Deputy Conference Chairman (Finance and Publicity): Dr Robert Milne, Intelligent Applications Ltd (rmilne@bcs.org.uk) Deputy Conference Chairman (Exhibition): Mr Richard Ellis (richard.ellis@cognate.demon.co.uk) Tutorial Organiser: Dr. Adrian Hopgood, Open University (a.a.hopgood@open.ac.uk) Application Programme Chair: Mrs Ann Macintosh, Napier University (a.macintosh@napier.ac.uk) Deputy Application Programme Chair: Mr Mike Moulton, University of Portsmouth (moultonmg@pbs.port.ac.uk) Technical Programme Chair: Professor Max Bramer,University of Portsmouth (Max.Bramer@bcs.org.uk) Deputy Technical Programme Chair: TBA PAPERS AND ABSTRACTS FOR BOTH STREAMS SHOULD BE SENT TO: Ms. Thelma Williams (ES2000 Administrator) Dept. of Computer Science, The University of Liverpool, Chadwick Building Liverpool, L69 7ZF UK Tel: +44 (0)151 794 3666 Fax: +44 (0)151 794 3715 Email: sges-conference@bcs.org.uk