Human Systems Management - Volume 5, issue 2

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5201

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 89-94, 1985

Authors: Lindsay, Robert K.

Article Type: Editorial

Abstract: Planning for the continuing and accelerating impact of the computer revolution is becoming more difficult as the field of artificial intelligence makes broader inroads into the automation of intellectual functions. Increasingly, decision making formerly done exclusively by humans will fall within the scope of automation, and the societal changes will be great. However, AI still lacks deep insight into the fundamental nature of human thought and experience, and theoretical breakthroughs of major proportion will be needed before machines will (or ought to) replace humans for many purposes. Surprisingly, many areas of human activity that appear to be purely logical and …factual, and even seemingly trivial, will not soon be achievable by computers. Show more

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, artificial understanding, technological forecasting, robotics

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5202

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 95-98, 1985

Authors: Mowshowitz, Abbe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Despite its potential to support fundamental change, computer use reinforces existing social practices and modes of organization. This paper traces the antecedents and consequences of such reinforcement. Decisions on deployment of computer technology are shown to be powerfully conditioned by a technocultural paradigm forged in the industrial revolution. This paradigm fosters obsessive concern with productivity and growth, a concern that is central to the rhetoric of American renewal. Unless tempered by countervailing values, the obsession will lead to increased disparities of wealth, polarization, socially debilitating unemployment, and virulent economic nationalism.

Keywords: Automation, productivity, unemployment, technology assessment, instrumentalism, technocultural paradigms, social control

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5203

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 99-110, 1985

Authors: Minsky, Marvin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We can solve many problems of energy, health, productivity, and environmental quality by improving the technology of remote control. This will produce nuclear safety and security, advances in mining, increases in productivity, economies in transportation, and new industries and markets. By creating ‘mechanical hands’ that are versatile and economical enough, we shape a new world of health, energy and security. It will take 10 to 20 years, and cost about a billion dollars.

Keywords: Mechanical hands, telepresence, remote control, robotics

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5204

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 111-121, 1985

Authors: Nilsson, Nils J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) will have many profound societal effects. It promises potential benefits (and may also pose risks) in education, defense, business, law, and science. In this paper we explore how AI is likely to affect employment and the distribution of income. We argue that AI will indeed reduce drastically the need for human toil. We also note that some people fear the automation of work by machines and the resulting unemployment. Yet, since the majority of us would rather use our time for activities other than our present jobs, we ought to greet the work-eliminating consequences of AI enthusiastically. …The paper discusses two reasons, one economic and one psychological, for this paradoxical apprehension. We conclude with a discussion of problems of moving toward the kind of economy that will be enabled by developments in AI. Show more

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, employment, income, automation, unemployment

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5205

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 123-135, 1985

Authors: Mulsant, Benoit | Servan-Schreiber, David

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The health care system in many societies is facing a profound crisis. Confronted by financial, legal and cultural pressures, the traditional practice of medicine is falling progressively behind the expectations of an information-intensive society and its skilled professions. A new health care system which is more cost-effective, reliable and humanistic is actively sought. Computer technology provides new tools to assist physicians and enhance communication with patients; it sets the stage for a revolution in values and methods in the profession. Small systems like problem-knowledge couplers will proliferate rapidly and link doctors and databases. They will permit more exhaustive diagnostic workups …and presentations of all therapeutic choices. More complex software like expert systems require more development before becoming widely available, but they will provide increasingly sophisticated services responsive to specific demands. With these systems, the knowledge of the best experts can be brought to bear on each instance of a health problem. Medical management could be completely transformed with a shift of primary responsibility from the once-omnipotent doctor to the fully informed patient. Show more

Keywords: Expert system, artificial intelligence in medicine (AIM), medical computing, medical management, medical decision making, problem oriented medical record (POMR)

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5206

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 137-147, 1985

Authors: Solomonoff, R.J.

Article Type: Other

Abstract: Six future milestones in AI are discussed. These range from the development of a very general theory of problem solving to the creation of machines with capacities well beyond those of a single human. Estimates are made for when these milestones will occur, followed by some suggestions for the more effective utilization of the extremely rapid technological growth that is expected.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, social effects, future developments

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5207

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 149-153, 1985

Authors: Uhr, Leonard

Article Type: Other

Abstract: Today's computers come with ‘software’ programs that are typically so difficult to use and to learn that ‘artificial intelligence’ and ‘human engineering’ can play important roles in making computers more accessible. Computers are rapidly becoming so large and powerful, and so cheap, that the large AI programs needed are becoming increasingly feasible. But the ultimate promise of artificial intelligence is far greater – to throw light on and perhaps solve some of the very difficult key problems of intelligence. It would be a tragic irony if today's fad-of-the-computer and ‘AI expert systems’ for ‘smarts’ left even fewer people trying to …work on these fundamental problems. Show more

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, real intelligence, VLSI, multi-computer networks, ‘user friendly systems’, ‘smarts’, ‘human engineering’, fads and fallacies, modelling intelligent cognition

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5208

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 155-158, 1985

Authors: Kochen, Manfred

Article Type: Other

Abstract: A sample of alternate futures of AI is used to illustrate a fruitful approach to meta-AI. At least two important issues generated by progress in AI require analysis. One is the trade-off between building an AI dedicated to a specialized, well-defined domain of problems, at which it excels, and building a flexible AI that can reprogram itself quickly to cope with a variety of unanticipated new tasks. Another central issue concerns the role and value of being human in the face of pressing change of the kind believed to be engendered by AI.

Keywords: Value of being human, flexibility, forecasting, prediction, robotics, conflict management

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5209

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 159-162, 1985

Authors: Holsapple, Clyde W. | Whinston, Andrew B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The principal applicability of artificial intelligence techniques to management lies within the context of decision support systems. These are systems that facilitate or enhance decision making activities. An extensive decision support system has the ability to draw upon various kinds of application specific knowledge in solving problems posed by a manager. This includes large volumes of empirical knowledge, a variety of modeling knowledge, and reasoning knowledge. All of these types of knowledge can be represented in the DSS's knowledge system and can be utilized by the DSS's problem processor in responding to requests stated in terms of the DSS's language …system. Research in the DSS field is increasingly exploring ways in which AI techniques can be used in addressing such DSS implementation issues. Show more

Keywords: Data base management, decision making, decision support system, knowledge system, language system, management, problem processor, software integration

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5210

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 163-171, 1985

Article Type: Book Review

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1985-5211

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 173-181, 1985