With nearly two decades of residence at The University of Memphis, The Institute for Intelligent Systems, or IIS, has been living life on the cutting edge in all areas of cognitive science and systems of intelligence, and serves as the only of its kind within 250 miles.
IIS is an interdisciplinary operation, with objectives in the exploration of human, animal, computer and abstract technologies.
IIS, with its recognition by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Office of Naval Research and nearly $10 million in funding, has secured a place on the map for Memphis, according to IIS co-director Art Graesser.
Recent funds have supported such projects as AutoTutor, a computer which simulates human dialogue, and a system devised to maintain tutorial conversation. In addition, Eye Tracking research has been underway to understand the eye movements involved with multi-media interactions -- as well as the development of a web site covering the ethical concerns of human research subjects.
Graesser said the institute has managed to assist new hi-tech establishments to spring up in the Memphis community -- like Challenger and Thoughtware Corporations. IIS also turns out a number of graduate students into the local industry.
Attention for The University is always encouraged through IIS, Graesser said.
"It's always good to bring outside speakers into The University of Memphis."
On Friday and Saturday, The Symposium on the Dynamics of Perception, Memory and Consciousness will be held at and sponsored by IIS.
"This is an excellent opportunity to make plans for the future," Kozma said.
World-renowned experts will make their way to The U of M. On hand will be Professor Paul Adams of SUNY Stonybrook, with work at the neuro/cellular level, and Professor Walter Freeman of the University of California at Berkeley, whose work on neuronal populations is arguably Nobel prize worthy, according to Kozma. Also participating will be Dr. Bernard Baars, a leading expert on the top level of neuronal populations.
Stan Franklin, co-director of IIS, as well as Kozma, will discuss dynamic memory and perception models and global workspace theories respectively.
Kozma said all areas of discussion blend into what we know of consciousness, "the most puzzling property of living creatures."
"We expect this symposium to shine some crucial light on this issue," he said.
"Integrating various levels of neuroscience and cognitive science is a hot topic, and The U of M is a leading force in these efforts, " Kozma said.
With the symposium in the hand of IIS, Kozma puts the advantage in U of M hands.
"IIS plays a key role in galvanizing various efforts toward intelligent systems research," Kozma said. "It gives us a clear edge."
The symposium will run from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday in room 208 of the Psychology Building.
