The document provides an overview of key concepts related to information systems, including:
- Data vs. information, inputs, processing, outputs, and feedback in information systems.
- Characteristics of systems like inputs, processes, outputs, feedback, and how systems can be modeled.
- The five basic parts of a computer-based information system: hardware, software, databases, telecommunications, and networks.
A tale of scale & speed: How the US Navy is enabling software delivery from l...sonjaschweigert1
Rapid and secure feature delivery is a goal across every application team and every branch of the DoD. The Navy’s DevSecOps platform, Party Barge, has achieved:
- Reduction in onboarding time from 5 weeks to 1 day
- Improved developer experience and productivity through actionable findings and reduction of false positives
- Maintenance of superior security standards and inherent policy enforcement with Authorization to Operate (ATO)
Development teams can ship efficiently and ensure applications are cyber ready for Navy Authorizing Officials (AOs). In this webinar, Sigma Defense and Anchore will give attendees a look behind the scenes and demo secure pipeline automation and security artifacts that speed up application ATO and time to production.
We will cover:
- How to remove silos in DevSecOps
- How to build efficient development pipeline roles and component templates
- How to deliver security artifacts that matter for ATO’s (SBOMs, vulnerability reports, and policy evidence)
- How to streamline operations with automated policy checks on container images
Epistemic Interaction - tuning interfaces to provide information for AI supportAlan Dix
Paper presented at SYNERGY workshop at AVI 2024, Genoa, Italy. 3rd June 2024
https://alandix.com/academic/papers/synergy2024-epistemic/
As machine learning integrates deeper into human-computer interactions, the concept of epistemic interaction emerges, aiming to refine these interactions to enhance system adaptability. This approach encourages minor, intentional adjustments in user behaviour to enrich the data available for system learning. This paper introduces epistemic interaction within the context of human-system communication, illustrating how deliberate interaction design can improve system understanding and adaptation. Through concrete examples, we demonstrate the potential of epistemic interaction to significantly advance human-computer interaction by leveraging intuitive human communication strategies to inform system design and functionality, offering a novel pathway for enriching user-system engagements.
State of ICS and IoT Cyber Threat Landscape Report 2024 previewPrayukth K V
The IoT and OT threat landscape report has been prepared by the Threat Research Team at Sectrio using data from Sectrio, cyber threat intelligence farming facilities spread across over 85 cities around the world. In addition, Sectrio also runs AI-based advanced threat and payload engagement facilities that serve as sinks to attract and engage sophisticated threat actors, and newer malware including new variants and latent threats that are at an earlier stage of development.
The latest edition of the OT/ICS and IoT security Threat Landscape Report 2024 also covers:
State of global ICS asset and network exposure
Sectoral targets and attacks as well as the cost of ransom
Global APT activity, AI usage, actor and tactic profiles, and implications
Rise in volumes of AI-powered cyberattacks
Major cyber events in 2024
Malware and malicious payload trends
Cyberattack types and targets
Vulnerability exploit attempts on CVEs
Attacks on counties – USA
Expansion of bot farms – how, where, and why
In-depth analysis of the cyber threat landscape across North America, South America, Europe, APAC, and the Middle East
Why are attacks on smart factories rising?
Cyber risk predictions
Axis of attacks – Europe
Systemic attacks in the Middle East
Download the full report from here:
https://sectrio.com/resources/ot-threat-landscape-reports/sectrio-releases-ot-ics-and-iot-security-threat-landscape-report-2024/
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and SalesLaura Byrne
Clients don’t know what they don’t know. What web solutions are right for them? How does WordPress come into the picture? How do you make sure you understand scope and timeline? What do you do if sometime changes?
All these questions and more will be explored as we talk about matching clients’ needs with what your agency offers without pulling teeth or pulling your hair out. Practical tips, and strategies for successful relationship building that leads to closing the deal.
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...James Anderson
Effective Application Security in Software Delivery lifecycle using Deployment Firewall and DBOM
The modern software delivery process (or the CI/CD process) includes many tools, distributed teams, open-source code, and cloud platforms. Constant focus on speed to release software to market, along with the traditional slow and manual security checks has caused gaps in continuous security as an important piece in the software supply chain. Today organizations feel more susceptible to external and internal cyber threats due to the vast attack surface in their applications supply chain and the lack of end-to-end governance and risk management.
The software team must secure its software delivery process to avoid vulnerability and security breaches. This needs to be achieved with existing tool chains and without extensive rework of the delivery processes. This talk will present strategies and techniques for providing visibility into the true risk of the existing vulnerabilities, preventing the introduction of security issues in the software, resolving vulnerabilities in production environments quickly, and capturing the deployment bill of materials (DBOM).
Speakers:
Bob Boule
Robert Boule is a technology enthusiast with PASSION for technology and making things work along with a knack for helping others understand how things work. He comes with around 20 years of solution engineering experience in application security, software continuous delivery, and SaaS platforms. He is known for his dynamic presentations in CI/CD and application security integrated in software delivery lifecycle.
Gopinath Rebala
Gopinath Rebala is the CTO of OpsMx, where he has overall responsibility for the machine learning and data processing architectures for Secure Software Delivery. Gopi also has a strong connection with our customers, leading design and architecture for strategic implementations. Gopi is a frequent speaker and well-known leader in continuous delivery and integrating security into software delivery.
Encryption in Microsoft 365 - ExpertsLive Netherlands 2024Albert Hoitingh
In this session I delve into the encryption technology used in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Purview. Including the concepts of Customer Key and Double Key Encryption.
Elevating Tactical DDD Patterns Through Object CalisthenicsDorra BARTAGUIZ
After immersing yourself in the blue book and its red counterpart, attending DDD-focused conferences, and applying tactical patterns, you're left with a crucial question: How do I ensure my design is effective? Tactical patterns within Domain-Driven Design (DDD) serve as guiding principles for creating clear and manageable domain models. However, achieving success with these patterns requires additional guidance. Interestingly, we've observed that a set of constraints initially designed for training purposes remarkably aligns with effective pattern implementation, offering a more ‘mechanical’ approach. Let's explore together how Object Calisthenics can elevate the design of your tactical DDD patterns, offering concrete help for those venturing into DDD for the first time!
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...BookNet Canada
The publishing industry has been selling digital audiobooks and ebooks for over a decade and has found its groove. What’s changed? What has stayed the same? Where do we go from here? Join a group of leading sales peers from across the industry for a conversation about the lessons learned since the popularization of digital books, best practices, digital book supply chain management, and more.
Link to video recording: https://bnctechforum.ca/sessions/selling-digital-books-in-2024-insights-from-industry-leaders/
Presented by BookNet Canada on May 28, 2024, with support from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Essentials of Automations: Optimizing FME Workflows with ParametersSafe Software
Are you looking to streamline your workflows and boost your projects’ efficiency? Do you find yourself searching for ways to add flexibility and control over your FME workflows? If so, you’re in the right place.
Join us for an insightful dive into the world of FME parameters, a critical element in optimizing workflow efficiency. This webinar marks the beginning of our three-part “Essentials of Automation” series. This first webinar is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to utilize parameters effectively: enhancing the flexibility, maintainability, and user control of your FME projects.
Here’s what you’ll gain:
- Essentials of FME Parameters: Understand the pivotal role of parameters, including Reader/Writer, Transformer, User, and FME Flow categories. Discover how they are the key to unlocking automation and optimization within your workflows.
- Practical Applications in FME Form: Delve into key user parameter types including choice, connections, and file URLs. Allow users to control how a workflow runs, making your workflows more reusable. Learn to import values and deliver the best user experience for your workflows while enhancing accuracy.
- Optimization Strategies in FME Flow: Explore the creation and strategic deployment of parameters in FME Flow, including the use of deployment and geometry parameters, to maximize workflow efficiency.
- Pro Tips for Success: Gain insights on parameterizing connections and leveraging new features like Conditional Visibility for clarity and simplicity.
We’ll wrap up with a glimpse into future webinars, followed by a Q&A session to address your specific questions surrounding this topic.
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your FME expertise and drive your projects to new heights of efficiency.
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdfCheryl Hung
Keynote at DIGIT West Expo, Glasgow on 29 May 2024.
Cheryl Hung, ochery.com
Sr Director, Infrastructure Ecosystem, Arm.
The key trends across hardware, cloud and open-source; exploring how these areas are likely to mature and develop over the short and long-term, and then considering how organisations can position themselves to adapt and thrive.
Generative AI Deep Dive: Advancing from Proof of Concept to ProductionAggregage
Join Maher Hanafi, VP of Engineering at Betterworks, in this new session where he'll share a practical framework to transform Gen AI prototypes into impactful products! He'll delve into the complexities of data collection and management, model selection and optimization, and ensuring security, scalability, and responsible use.
Le nuove frontiere dell'AI nell'RPA con UiPath Autopilot™UiPathCommunity
In questo evento online gratuito, organizzato dalla Community Italiana di UiPath, potrai esplorare le nuove funzionalità di Autopilot, il tool che integra l'Intelligenza Artificiale nei processi di sviluppo e utilizzo delle Automazioni.
📕 Vedremo insieme alcuni esempi dell'utilizzo di Autopilot in diversi tool della Suite UiPath:
Autopilot per Studio Web
Autopilot per Studio
Autopilot per Apps
Clipboard AI
GenAI applicata alla Document Understanding
👨🏫👨💻 Speakers:
Stefano Negro, UiPath MVPx3, RPA Tech Lead @ BSP Consultant
Flavio Martinelli, UiPath MVP 2023, Technical Account Manager @UiPath
Andrei Tasca, RPA Solutions Team Lead @NTT Data
1. Chapter 1
Introduction to
Information Systems
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
2. Information Concepts (1)
Data vs. Information
Data
• Raw facts
• Distinct pieces of information, usually formatted in
a special way
Information
• A collection of facts organized in such a way that
they have additional value beyond the value of the
facts themselves
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
3. Data ‘Discussion’ (1)
(1) Distinct pieces of information, usually formatted in a special
way. All software is divided into two general categories: data and
programs. Programs are collections of instructions for manipulating
data.
Data can exist in a variety of forms -- as numbers or text on pieces
of paper, as bits and bytes stored in electronic memory, or as facts
stored in a person's mind.
Strictly speaking, data is the plural of datum, a single piece of
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
4. information. In practice, however, people use data as both the
singular and plural form of the word.
(2) The term data is often used to distinguish binary
machine-readable information from textual human-readable
information. For example, some applications make a distinction
between data files (files that contain binary data) and text files
(files that contain ASCII data).
(3) In database management systems, data files are the files that
store the database information, whereas other files, such as index
files and data dictionaries, store administrative information, known
as metadata.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
5. Homework
Is the term “data”generally used in the
singular or plural
(a) in the textbook, and
(b) in the zdwebopedia web site?
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
6. Terminology
Process
• A set of logically related tasks performed to achieve
a defined outcome
Process
• (n) An executing program. The term is used loosely
as a synonym of task.
• (v) To perform some useful operations on data.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
7. Terminology
Knowledge
• An awareness and understanding of a set of
information and how that information can be made
useful to support a specific task
Knowledge base
• The collection of data, rules, procedures, and
relationships that must be followed to achieve value
or the proper outcome
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
8. Types of Data
Data Represented by
Alphanumeric data Numbers, letters, and other characters
Image data Graphic images or pictures
Audio data Sound, noise, tones
Video data Moving images or pictures
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
9. Data Information
Data Transformation Information
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
10. Characteristics of
Valuable Information
Characteristics
Accurate, complete, economical, flexible,
reliable, relevant, simple, timely, verifiable,
accessible, secure
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
11. System
System
A set of elements or components that interact
to accomplish goals
A combination of components working
together
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
12. System ‘Discussion’
(1) Refers to a combination of components working together. For
example, a computer system includes both hardware and software.
A Windows system is a personal computer running the Windows
operating system. A desktop publishing system is a computer
running desktop publishing software.
(2) Short for computer system.
(3) Short for operating system.
(4) An organization or methodology. The binary numbering system,
for instance, is a way to count using only two digits.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
13. System Elements
Inputs
Processing mechanisms
Outputs
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
14. System Example
Elements
System Processing Goal
Inputs Outputs
elements
Actors, director, Filming, Finished Entertaining
staff, sets, editing, film movie, film
Movie equipment special delivered to awards,
effects, movie profits
distribution studio
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
15. System Components and Concepts
System boundary
Defines the system and distinguishes it from
everything else
System types
Simple vs. complex
Open vs. closed
Stable vs. dynamic
Adaptive vs. nonadaptive
Permanent vs. temporary
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
16. System Performance and Standards
Efficiency
A measure of what is produced divided by what is
consumed
Effectiveness
A measure of the extent to which a system achieves its
goals
System performance standard
A specific objective of the system (next 2 slides)
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
19. System Variables and Parameters
System variable
A quantity or item that can be controlled by the
decision maker
E.g. the price a company charges for a product
System parameter
A value or quantity that cannot be controlled
by the decision maker
E.g., cost of a raw material
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
20. Modeling a System
Model
An abstraction or an approximation that is
used to represent reality
Types of models
Narrative (aka descriptive)
Physical
Schematic
Mathematical Next slide
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
22. Information System (IS)
Definition
A set of interrelated elements or components that
collect (input), manipulate (process), and disseminate
(output) data and information and provide a feedback
mechanism to meet an objective
(IS) Pronounced as separate letters, and short for
Information Systems or Information Services. For
many companies, IS is the name of the department
responsible for computers, networking and data
management. Other companies refer to the department
as IT (Information Technology) and MIS
(Management Information Services).
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
23. What is an Information System?
Schematic model of an information system
Feedback
Input Processing Output
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
24. Input, Processing, Output,
Input
The activity of gathering and capturing data
Whatever goes into the computer
Processing
Converting or transforming data into useful outputs
Output
Useful information, usually in the form of documents
and/or reports
Anything that comes out of a computer
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
25. Input ‘Discussion’
(n) Whatever goes into the computer. Input
can take a variety of forms, from
commands you enter on a keyboard to data
from another computer or device. A device
that feeds data into a computer, such as a
keyboard or mouse, is called an input
device.
(v) The act of entering data into a computer
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
26. Output ‘Discussion’
(n) Anything that comes out of a computer. Output
can be meaningful information or gibberish, and
it can appear in a variety of forms -- as binary
numbers, as characters, as pictures, and as printed
pages. Output devices include display screens,
loudspeakers, and printers.
(v) To give out. For example, display screens output
images, printers output print, and loudspeakers
output sounds.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
27. Feedback
Feedback
Output that is used to make changes to input or
processing activities
Forecasting
A proactive approach to feedback
Use for estimating future sales or inventory
needs
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
28. Manual vs. Computerized
Systems
Manual systems still widely used
E.g., some investment analysts manual draw charts
and trend lines to assist them in making investment
decisions
Computerized systems
E.g., the above trends lines can be drawn by computer
Evolution
Many computerized system began as manual systems
E.g., directory assistance (“411”)
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
29. Computer-based Information
Systems
A CBIS is composed of…
Hardware
Software
Databases
Telecommunications
People
Procedures
Together they are…
Configured to collect, manipulate, store, and process
data into information
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
30. Technology Infrastructure
Another term for CBIS
Consists of the shared information system
(IS) resources that form the foundation of
the information system
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
31. Parts of a CBIS
Five parts
Hardware
Software
Database
Telecommunications
Networks
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
32. Parts of a CBIS
Five parts
Hardware
Software
Database
Telecommunications
Networks
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
33. Hardware
Hardware
Computer equipment used to perform input,
processing, and output activities
The objects that you can actually touch, like
disks, disk drives, display screens, keyboards,
printers, boards, and chips.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
34. Hardware ‘Discussion’
Hardware refers to objects that you can actually touch,
like disks, disk drives, display screens, keyboards, printers,
boards, and chips. In contrast, software is untouchable.
Software exists as ideas, concepts, and symbols, but it has no
substance.
Books provide a useful analogy. The pages and the ink
are the hardware, while the words, sentences, paragraphs, and
the overall meaning are the software. A computer without
software is like a book full of blank pages -- you need
software to make the computer useful just as you need words
to make a book meaningful.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
35. Parts of a CBIS
Five parts
Hardware
Software
Database
Telecommunications
Networks
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
36. Software
Software
Computer programs that
govern/determine/control the operation of the
computer
Computer instructions or data
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
37. Software ‘Discussion’ (1)
Software is computer instructions or data. Anything that
can be stored electronically is software. The storage devices
and display devices are hardware.
The terms software and hardware are used as both nouns
and adjectives. For example, you can say: "The problem lies
in the software," meaning that there is a problem with the
program or data, not with the computer itself. You can also
say: "It's a software problem.“
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
38. Software ‘Discussion’ (2)
The distinction between software and hardware is
sometimes confusing because they are so integrally linked.
Clearly, when you purchase a program, you are buying
software. But to buy the software, you need to buy the disk
(hardware) on which the software is recorded.
Software is often divided into two categories. Systems
software includes the operating system and all the utilities
that enable the computer to function. Applications software
includes programs that do real work for users. For example,
word processors, spreadsheets, and database management
systems fall under the category of applications software.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
39. Parts of a CBIS
Five parts
Hardware
Software
Database
Telecommunications
Networks
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
40. Database
Database
An organized collection of facts and
information
A collection of information organized in such
a way that a computer program can quickly
select desired pieces of data
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
41. Database ‘Discussion’ (1)
A database is a collection of information organized in
such a way that a computer program can quickly select
desired pieces of data.
You can think of a database as an electronic filing system.
Traditional databases are organized by fields, records, and
files. A field is a single piece of information; a record is one
complete set of fields; and a file is a collection of records. For
example, a telephone book is analogous to a file. It contains a
list of records, each of which consists of three fields: name,
address, and telephone number.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
42. Database ‘Discussion’ (2)
An alternative concept in database design is known as
Hypertext. In a Hypertext database, any object, whether it be
a piece of text, a picture, or a film, can be linked to any other
object. Hypertext databases are particularly useful for
organizing large amounts of disparate information, but they
are not designed for numerical analysis.
To access information from a database, you need a
database management system (DBMS). This is a collection of
programs that enables you to enter, organize, and select data
in a database.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
44. Parts of a CBIS
Five parts
Hardware
Software
Database
Telecommunications
Networks
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
45. Telecommunications
Telecommunications
The electronic transmission of signals for
communications; enables organizations to link
computer systems into effective networks
Refers to all types of data transmission, from
voice to video
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
46. Parts of a CBIS
Five parts
Hardware
Software
Database
Telecommunications
Networks
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
47. Networks
Network
Used to connect computers and computer
equipment in a building, around the country,
across the world, to enable electronic
communications
A group of two or more computer systems
linked together
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
48. Network ‘Discussion’ (1)
There are many types of computer networks, including:
local-area networks (LANs) : The computers are
geographically close together (that is, in the same
building).
wide-area networks (WANs) : The computers are farther
apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
49. Network ‘Discussion’ (2)
In addition to these types, the following characteristics are
also used to categorize different types of networks:
topology : The geometric arrangement of a computer system.
Common topologies include a bus, star, and ring.
protocol : The protocol defines a common set of rules and
signals that computers on the network use to
communicate. One of the most popular protocols for
LANs is called Ethernet. Another popular LAN protocol
for PCs is the IBM token-ring network .
architecture : Networks can be broadly classified as using
either a peer-to-peer or client/server architecture.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
50. Network ‘Discussion’ (3)
Computers on a network are sometimes called nodes.
Computers and devices that allocate resources for a network
are called servers.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
52. Internet and Intranet
Internet
The world’s largest telecommunications network
A network of networks
Free exchange of information
A global network connecting millions of computers
Intranet
A network that uses Internet technology within an
organization
A network belonging to an organization
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
53. People and Procedures
People
The most important element in most computer-
based information systems
Includes people who manage, run, program,
and maintain the system
E.g., IT professionals (you!)
Procedures
Includes the strategies, policies, methods, and
rules for using the CBIS
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
54. Business Information Systems
Types
Transaction processing systems
E-commerce systems
Management information systems
Decision support systems
Expert systems
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
55. Transactions Processing Systems
Transaction
Any business-related exchange
E.g., generating a weekly payroll
Transaction processing system (TPS)
An organized collection of people, procedures,
software, databases, and devices used to record
completed for for business related exchanges
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
56. Payroll Example
Hours
worked
Payroll
Payroll
transaction
checks
processing
Pay
rate
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
57. Business Information Systems
Types
Transaction processing systems
E-commerce systems
Management information systems
Decision support systems
Expert systems
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
58. E-Commerce System
E-commerce
Involves any business transaction executed
electronically
Conducting business on-line
For example, between…
• Companies
• Companies and consumers
• Business and the public sector
• Consumers and the public sector
Example for placing a purchase order
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
59. Purchase Order - Traditional
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
60. Purchase Order – E-commerce
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
61. Business Information Systems
Types
Transaction processing systems
E-commerce systems
Management information systems
Decision support systems
Expert systems
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
62. Management Information Systems
An MIS is…
An organized collection of people, procedures,
software, databases, and devices used to
provide routine information to managers and
decision makers
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
63. Schematic of MIS
Marketing Manufacturing
management management
information Information
system system
Common
databases
Financial Order
management management
Information information
system system
TPS
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
64. MIS ‘Discussion’
Short for management information system or management
information services, and pronounced as separate letters, MIS
refers to a class of software that provides managers with tools for
organizing and evaluating their department. Typically, MIS systems
are written in COBOL and run on mainframes or minicomputers.
Within companies and large organizations, the department
responsible for computer systems is sometimes called the MIS
department. Other names for MIS include IS (Information Services)
and IT (Information Technology).
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
65. Business Information Systems
Types
Transaction processing systems
E-commerce systems
Management information systems
Decision support systems
Expert systems
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
66. Decision Support Systems
A DSS is…
An organized collection of people, procedures,
software, databases, and devices used to
support problem-specific decision making
A DSS helps a manger “do the right thing”
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
67. Business Information Systems
Types
Transaction processing systems
E-commerce systems
Management information systems
Decision support systems
Expert systems
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
68. Expert Systems
An expert system is…
A computer application that performs a task that
would otherwise be performed by a human expert
gives the computer the ability to make suggestions and
to act like an expert in a particular field
Examples: diagnose human illnesses, make financial
forecasts, schedule routes for delivery vehicles
Expert systems typically include “artificial
intelligence” (next slide)
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
69. Artificial Intelligence (1)
The branch of computer science concerned with making computers
behave like humans. The term was coined in 1956 by John McCarthy
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Artificial intelligence
includes
games playing: programming computers to play games such as
chess and checkers
expert systems : programming computers to make decisions in real-life
situations (for example, some expert systems help doctors diagnose
diseases based on symptoms)
natural language : programming computers to understand natural
human languages
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
70. Artificial Intelligence (2)
neural networks : Systems that simulate intelligence by attempting
to reproduce the types of physical connections that occur in animal
brains
robotics : programming computers to see and hear and react to
other sensory stimuli
Currently, no computers exhibit full artificial intelligence (that is, are
able to simulate human behavior). The greatest advances have
occurred in the field of games playing. The best computer chess
programs are now capable of beating humans. In May, 1997, an IBM
super-computer called Deep Blue defeated world chess champion
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
71. Artificial Intelligence (3)
Gary Kasparov in a chess match.
In the area of robotics, computers are now widely used in assembly
plants, but they are capable only of very limited tasks. Robots have
great difficulty identifying objects based on appearance or feel, and
they still move and handle objects clumsily.
Natural-language processing offers the greatest potential rewards
because it would allow people to interact with computers without
needing any specialized knowledge. You could simply walk up to a
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
72. Artificial Intelligence (4)
computer and talk to it. Unfortunately, programming computers to
understand natural languages has proved to be more difficult than
originally thought. Some rudimentary translation systems that
translate from one human language to another are in existence, but
they are not nearly as good as human translators. There are also
voice recognition systems that can convert spoken sounds into
written words, but they do not understand what they are writing;
they simply take dictation. Even these systems are quite limited --
you must speak slowly and distinctly.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
73. Artificial Intelligence (5)
In the early 1980s, expert systems were believed to represent the
future of artificial intelligence and of computers in general. To date,
however, they have not lived up to expectations. Many expert
systems help human experts in such fields as medicine and
engineering, but they are very expensive to produce and are helpful
only in special situations.
Today, the hottest area of artificial intelligence is neural networks,
which are proving successful in a number of disciplines such as voice
recognition and natural-language processing.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
74. Artificial Intelligence (6)
There are several programming languages that are known as AI
languages because they are used almost exclusively for AI
applications. The two most common are LISP and Prolog.
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
75. Working with Systems (1)
Systems development
The activity of creating or modifying an existing
business system
Systems investigation and analysis
Defines the problems and opportunities of an existing
system
Systems design
Determine how a new system will work to meet
business needs
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
76. Working with Systems (2)
Systems implementation
Creating and acquiring system components
defined in the design
Systems maintenance and review
Checks and modifies the system so that it
continues to meet changing business needs
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations
77. End of Chapter 1
Chapter 2
ITEC 1010 Information and Organizations