The British Computer Society

SGES: The Specialist Group on Knowledge-Based Systems
and Applied Artificial Intelligence

Call for Application and Technical Papers: ES99

The 19th International Conference on Knowledge Based Systems and
Applied Artificial Intelligence

Conference website: http://www.bcs-sges.org/es99/

The British Computer Society Specialist Group on Expert Systems (SGES)
is pleased to announce that the latest in the successful ESxx
conference series will be held in Cambridge, UK from 13th to 15th
December 1999. As in previous years the conference aims to bring
together researchers and application developers from business,
industrial and academic communities to discuss issues and solutions to
problems based on techniques derived from Artificial Intelligence
(AI). ES99 will combine: papers illustrating recent technical
advances in AI; case studies describing real world applications;
tutorials addressing the latest developments in practical AI; and an
exhibition of tools and software. Each of these areas is described in
more detail below.

The conference offers a unique mix of the latest in technological
development in AI, tempered with practical experience of real
problems. Delegates will be able to discuss their ideas and problems
with research staff working at the leading edge of AI developments and
with non-academics scarred by the practical issues of getting systems
into service. The conference schedule has been designed to allow
time for relaxed discussions with other delegates and with exhibitors,
as well as including some forty technical and applications papers.

The conference will qualify for the IEE and BCS CPD schemes.

TWO STREAM CONFERENCE - APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY

As in previous years, the conference will run two parallel streams of
case studies and technical papers. All papers are rigorously refereed
to ensure that those selected meet the needs of the delegates. For
each stream there will be a keynote address by an acknowledged
international expert in the field.

The APPLICATIONS STREAM will present up to twenty papers describing
practical applications of AI. This is the largest annual showcase in
Europe of real application using AI technology and the ideal place to
meet with those working to make successful AI based applications.
Papers in recent years have covered topics as diverse as: KBS to
support military spares management; AI support to the use of
multi-lingual technical documentation; use of CBR to prevent repeating
metallurgical defects; data mining in the paper industry; improved
operation of blast furnaces; better energy management, applications of
intelligent agents; knowledge management and the application of neural
networks to the analysis of the performance of divers.

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.

The TECHNICAL STREAM aims to present the best of recent developments
in AI, covering a wide range of technical areas. Papers have been
invited in the following domains: 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.

Papers are solicited for both the Applications and Technical Streams.
Those wishing to submit papers should provide an abstract as soon as
possible. Four copies of a 5000 word paper should be sent to the
Conference Secretariat by 18th June 1999. Full details for those
wishing to submit papers may be found at the ES99 web site.

TUTORIALS

The main two day conference will be preceded by a day (13th December)
given over to tutorials. These will be aimed at providing practical
knowledge of the latest developments in AI. Subjects for this year
have yet to be chosen, but in recent years tutorials have included:
Knowledge Asset Management; Effective Diagnostic Systems; Knowledge
Discovery and Data Mining; Applications of Fuzzy Logic; Knowledge
Elicitation; and Methodological Issues of Case Based Reasoning.

EXHIBITION AND VENDOR PRESENTATIONS

An exhibition of tool and software suppliers will be included in the
exhibition. This will offer delegates the chance to view the latest
developments in AI tool support and discuss the suitability of
different packages in a relaxed environment. The exhibition will be
augmented by scheduled presentations given by suppliers, offering
further opportunity to gather information on leading software and
tools.

Companies wishing to exhibit or make a presentation at ES99 should
contact Richard Ellis. The conference attracts a wide range of
delegates, and the number of exhibitors will be limited to maximise
the time that exhibitors can spend with delegates.

SPECIAL INTEREST PRESENTATIONS

Time has been allowed in the conference timetable for a small number
of presentations by special interest groups or AI projects. These
will offer the presenters the chance to publicise their activities,
and to discuss their work with a wide audience who share similar or
related interests. Organisations wishing to make presentations should
contact Richard Ellis.

SPONSORSHIP

SGES is offering the opportunity for organisations to promote
themselves by sponsoring part of ES99. Sponsorship will ensure the
highest visibility for the benefactor, through the use of the
sponsor's logo on conference material and through appearance of the
sponsor's name in references to the conference, both before and after
the event. Potential sponsors should contact Dr Robert Milne.

FURTHER INFORMATION, CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
AND POINTS OF CONTACT

Conference Chairman:
Dr Robert Milne
Intelligent Applications Ltd ([log in to unmask])

Deputy Conference Chairman:
Dr Frans Coenen
University of Liverpool ([log in to unmask])

Application Programme Chair:
Mr Richard Ellis
Crew Services Ltd ([log in to unmask])

Deputy Application Programme Chair
Mr Mike Moulton
University of Portsmouth ([log in to unmask])

Technical Programme Chair:
Professor Max Bramer
University of Portsmouth ([log in to unmask])

Deputy Technical Programme Chair
Mrs Ann Macintosh
AIAI, University of Edinburgh ([log in to unmask])

Tutorials and Workshops:
Dr Ian Watson Salford University ([log in to unmask])

ES99 Administrator:
Miss Linsay Turbert
Intelligent Applications Ltd ([log in to unmask])

For all administrative queries contact:

Miss Linsay Turbert (ES99 Administrator)
c/o Intelligent Applications Ltd, 1 Michaelson Square, Livingston,
West Lothian, EH54 7DP. Scotland

IMPORTANT DATES

Title/Abstract Notification: Now
Full Paper Submission: 18th June 1999
Notification of Acceptance: 13th August 1999
Camera Ready Papers Due: 18th September 1999


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%