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“Technological systems”

The sheer power of modern computers to calculate and new simulation methods enable us to create models describing complex phenomenon, which are then applicable to different disciplines. The programme defines the behaviour of single agents at the very lowest structural level and how they interact provides us with the key to the system’s overall evolution.

Progress in the field of artificial intelligence, through cellular robots, neural networks and genetic algorisms, has led to the creation of artificial environments where single agents, free to move in their world of reference following some very elementary rules, can interact with the external environment. Their interaction gives shape to a system able to evolve and adapt to the different needs, managing to carry out tasks that a single body would be incapable of. Analysing the behaviour of single elements allows us to propose a series of potential scenarios without being able to pinpoint the one that will really occur.

How can we use this research to improve the management and target the development of large networks, above all Internet? What could be the consequences for content organisation, also bearing in mind the new forms of involvement permitted by Web 2.0 tools and the emerging folksonomy phenomenon, based on rules decided “popularly” by users?

What opportunities are there for designing a nation’s communication systems from phone to road and rail? How do we apply these technological models to education and entertainment?

 

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