FIRST INTERNATIONAL COGNITIVE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
24-27 August 1995
City University of Hong Kong
The University of Aizu, Japan
Cognitive Sciences Centre, University of Southampton, UK
VENUE: City University of Hong Kong
PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENT AND FINAL CALL FOR PAPERS
COGNITIVE TECHNOLOGY:
Cognitive Technology (CT) is the study of the interaction
between people and the objects they manipulate. It is
concerned with how technologically constructed tools/aids
(A) bear on dynamic changes in human perception, (B) affect
natural human communication, and (C) act to control human
adaptation.
Cognitive systems must be understood not only in terms of
their goals and computational constraints but also in terms
of the external physical and social environments that shape
cognition. This can yield (A) technological solutions to real
world problems, and (B) tools designed to be sensitive to
the cognitive capabilities and affective characteristics
of their users.
CT takes a broader view of human capability than the current
Human Computer Interface research and talks of putting more
of the 'human' into the interface without attempting to
simulate 'humanness' on machines. It is primarily concerned
with how cognitive awareness in people may be amplified by
technological means and considers the implications of such
amplification on what it means to be human. It should appeal
to researchers across disciplines who are interested in the
sociocultural and individual implications of developments in
the interface between technology and human cognition. Any
technology which provides a tool has implications for CT;
computer technology has special importance because of its
particular capacity to provide multi-sensory stimuli and
emulate human cognitive processes.
CONFERENCE AIMS:
The issues to be explored in this conference can be classified
into three areas (1) research problems, (2) process/product
specification, and (3) combinations of the two.
1) Research problems,
* Establishing an integrated human/machine relationship
in which the machine externalizes, extends, and
amplifies human cognitive processes.
* Examining the ways in which affective states relate to
the effect of technological development on human thinking.
* Studying sources of dissonance between technological
process/production and human thought/emotion.
2) Process/product specification,
* Safeguarding technological growth and development by
identifying and eliminating dehumanizing hazards
and potentially destructive implications early in the
developmental process.
* Empowering technology users to become more critical
and proactive in considering the tools at their disposal.
* Providing guidelines for responsibly presenting
information so as to help the user "ask the right questions".
3) Joint research and process/product specification,
* Focusing technological growth away from technology-driven and towards
human-driven development.
* Humanizing technological development from the inside out by placing our
cognitive achievements and abilities into the
technologies we develop.
* Providing technology-based opportunities for the
modelling, training, correction, and enhancement of various
aspects of human behaviour.
* Providing technological means to overcome handicaps,
drudgery, fatigue, and any other barriers to human
creativity and growth.
The First Hong Kong Round Table on Cognitive Technology
will take place at the end of the conference to discuss the
issues raised at the conference and directions for future
research and collaboration.
CHAIRMAN:
Professor Jacob L. Mey, Odense University, Denmark &
Northwestern University, USA.
INVITED SPEAKERS:
Professor Stevan Harnad, University of Southampton, UK
Professor T. L. Kunii, University of Aizu, Japan
SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS:
The British Computer Society (HKS), IEEE, HKIE IT
Division, and the Hong Kong Productivity Council
SPONSORED BY:
Epson Foundation and the Department of Computer Science,
City University of Hong Kong
CALL FOR PAPERS:
If you are interested in considering these issues, or other
similar ones, and want to share your thoughts and hopes with
like-minded people, please submit 6 hard copies of an
extended abstract (apprx 1500 words) to Kevin Cox,
Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong
Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
e-mail: cscoxk@cityu.edu.hk, fax: (852) 788 8614, tel:
(852) 788 8604.
All abstracts will be refereed by an independent panel. The
opinions of the referees will determine a list of 30 papers
to be presented at the conference. All presenters will be
expected to lead a discussion of one other paper accepted
for presentation.
Deadline for abstracts: 15 Feb 1995
Notification of acceptance: 31 Mar 1995
Full paper: 31 May 1995
Discussion points deadline: 30 June 1995
Registration fee: before 1 July 1995 $US 200
after 1 July 1995 $US 250
Details of the conference schedule and available accommodation
will be circulated in a conference brochure at a later date.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES:
International
Chair:
Jacob L. Mey Odense University, Denmark
Northwestern University, USA
Co-chair:
Barbara Gorayska City University, Hong Kong
Members:
Igor Aleksander Imperial College, UK
Hugh Applewhite Piltdown Technologies, USA.
Ben Barta Ministry of Education, Israel
Frank Biocca North Carolina University, USA
Mark Burstein BBN, Cambridge, MA , USA
Jerry DeJong University of Illinois, Urbana, USA
Laurence Goldstein Hong Kong University, Hong Kong
David Good Cambridge University, UK
Hartmut Haberland Roskilde University, Denmark
Stevan Harnad University of Southampton, UK
Edward Hovy ISI University of South California,USA
Richard Janney Cologne University, Germany
Alex Kass Northwestern University, USA
Tosiyasu L. Kunii University of Aizu, Japan
CK Leong Saskatchewan University, Canada
Roger Lindsay Oxford-Brookes University, UK
Jonathon Marsh Hong Kong University, Hong Kong
Herbert Pick Minnesota University, USA
Tomaso Poggio MIT, USA
C. Wade Savage Minnesota University, USA
Roger Schank Northwestern University, USA
David Sless Communication Research Institute of
Australia Inc.
Albert Yonas Minnesota University, USA
Local:
Chair:
Barbara Gorayska City University, Hong Kong
Co-chair:
Jonathon Marsh Hong Kong University, Hong Kong
Members:
Brian Anderson City University, Hong Kong
N.V. Balasubramanian City University, Hong Kong
Ho Mun Chan City University, Hong Kong
Orville L.Clubb City University, Hong Kong
Kevin Cox City University, Hong Kong
Centre for the Advancement of University Teaching
Hong Kong University
Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong
TEL 852 859 8995
FAX 852 540 9941
JPMARSH@HKUCC.HKU.HK