Hewlett-Packard Co’s European Knowledge Systems Centre, Bristol and the Edinburgh-based Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute, part of Edinburgh University, are, as reported briefly (CI No 1,377) to pool their research resources in artificial intelligence. The Knowledge Systems Centre is linked to Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, also Bristol-based, which employ 70 people on artificial intelligence research. The systems centre is a commercailly oriented consultancy, building prototypes, managing artificial intelligence projects for industry, and training. One of its objectives is to look at how it can exploit the technology from the laboratories for commercial use. Architectural development is also carried out. Existing products are also taken for investigation to see how they can be integrated into a marketable solutions. Clients may want to implement artificial intelligence into their existing systems, so the consultancy will analyse the system, predicting which modules would be appropriate for knowledge-based systems and where conventional technology would be more appropriate. The Scottish AI Institute is a non-profitmaking, commercially run body, which employs 200 people. It follows the same business lines as Hewlett-Packard’s establishment by carrying out consultancy for companies interested in using artificial intelligence. Funding comes from Department of Trade & Industry grants and from contracts with companies. The first joint projects will involve applying knowledge-based technology to financial applications. Particular areas of interest are situations where speed and accuracy are at a premium. Examples include trading rooms, investment analysts and help desks for branch staff. Hewlett-Packard Dr Andrew Whiter believes the partnership will provide a good combination of commercialism and academia to exploit the latest artificial intelligence techniques. – E T
