Research Collaboration To Boost Information Technology

EE 58 October 1987 RESEARCH COLLABORATION TO BOOST INFORMATION The fast moving world of infor- mation technology has wit- nessed two significant develop- ments recently in Britain. Much closer links have been forged between research and product development, and plans have been made to exploit the results more actively in the world"s markets. In 1981, Japan launched a ten year national programme to de- velop what are known as fifth generation computer systems. This ambitious project aims to bring together all the necessary elements of "clever" com- puters which, in the 1990s, will be able to demonstrate artificial intelligence and simulate human hearing, speech and vision. Britain"s response to the Japanese challenge was to mount its own five year pro- gramme of advanced IT research known as the Alvey Programme. It started in 1983, and will cost eventually about £350 million, of which £200 million will come from public funds and £150 million from par- ticipating companies. Wide ...