Science and Computing

Professor Steve Reeves

Department of Computer Science, The University of Waikato, NZ

Fri Jul 27 15:10:00 NZST 2007 in Room 031, Erskine Building

Abstract

As a computer scientist I am concerned at the widespread view, including amongst our policy makers, that ICT is "purely an enabling technology".

I believe we need to remember where the technology originally came from in order to have a more realistic view of it, and to see how future technological advances might be made. Advances, to be sure, were and will be suggested and generated by existing technology. But 70 years ago there was no such thing as IT, so where did it spring from? And for technology to move forward there has to be some scientific input, at least occasionally, so where will that come from?

Also, since our science is not just "there" to be discovered as in natural sciences like physics and chemistry---we are working, after all, with the "Science of the Artificial"---what sort of science is needed, in order to throw up ideas for technologists to grapple with in the first place?

In this talk I want to remind people that there is science behind our technology and do a bit of revision concerning its roots 70 years ago.

I also want to look to forward and look at areas where computer science has obvious future implications for technology and perhaps explore the environment for doing such science in New Zealand. I make the point that we need to focus on computer science alongside IT: it is well understood in general that science provides an intellectual compass to allow us to navigate the world around us, and it is no different for IT.

This presentation will be of considerable interest to anyone who wants a broad view of IT---past, present and future---and is likely to include teachers, practitioners and policy makers.