Thomas W. Malone, Michael S. Scott Morton and Robert Russman Halperin
In 1994, MIT's Sloan School of Management began a global initiative to explore the future of organizations. This initiative was a joint venture between the Sloan faculty and a…
Abstract
In 1994, MIT's Sloan School of Management began a global initiative to explore the future of organizations. This initiative was a joint venture between the Sloan faculty and a number of companies from around the world. Part of the early work of the initiative was to shape a clear understanding of the issues organizations must face and resolve in the coming years. We asked three of the principals in this important work to summarize their research approach as a way of setting the stage for this issue's discussion about organizing for the future.
Michael E.D. Koenig and Marianne Broadbent
In order to manage library or information functions you must be able to persuasively communicate with your management. To accomplish this, you must communicate in the language of…
Abstract
In order to manage library or information functions you must be able to persuasively communicate with your management. To accomplish this, you must communicate in the language of your management, marshalling trendy and persuasive points on your own behalf With that as a given, there has been a very heartening development over the last few years for library and information managers—a burgeoning management attention to information.
Deanna Anderlini, Luigi Agnati, Diego Guidolin, Manuela Marcoli, Amina S. Woods and Guido Maura
This conceptual paper aims to explore the possibility of human beings reaching a virtual form of immortality.
Abstract
Purpose
This conceptual paper aims to explore the possibility of human beings reaching a virtual form of immortality.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is an investigation of the path from an early example of human knowledge to the birth of artificial intelligence (AI) and robots. A critical analysis of different point of views, from philosophers to scientists, is presented.
Findings
From ancient rock art paintings to the moon landing, human knowledge has made a huge progress to the point of creating robots resembling human features. While these humanoid robots can successfully undertake risky tasks, they also generate ethical issues for the society they interact with.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is conceptual, and it does attempt to provide one theory by which human beings can achieve the dream of immortality. It is part of a work in progress on the use of AI and the issues related to the creation/use of humanoid robots in society.
Originality/value
This paper provides an overview of some of the key issues and themes impacting our modern society. Its originality resides in the linking of human knowledge to collective knowledge and then of collective mind to the hyper-collective mind. The idea of humans reaching immortality is burdened by the imperative need to define ethical guidelines for the field of AI and its uses.
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Keywords
This is the first part of a two‐part paper. It discusses basic issues and concepts surrounding the outsourcing process, including the influences that drive the process, the…
Abstract
This is the first part of a two‐part paper. It discusses basic issues and concepts surrounding the outsourcing process, including the influences that drive the process, the factors that shape the process, and potential outcomes, touching briefly on complications and challenges that the client may encounter. Part Two will address the pragmatic aspects in some detail, offering concrete suggestions for more effectively managing the entire outsourcing process.
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Keywords
A multimedia computer system is one that can create, import, integrate, store, retrieve, edit, and delete two or more types of media materials in digital form, such as audio…
Abstract
A multimedia computer system is one that can create, import, integrate, store, retrieve, edit, and delete two or more types of media materials in digital form, such as audio, image, full‐motion video, and text information. This paper surveys four possible types of multimedia computer systems: hypermedia, multimedia database, multimedia message, and virtual reality systems. The primary focus is on advanced multimedia systems development projects and theoretical efforts that suggest long‐term trends in this increasingly important area.
Few dispute the very strong likelihood that within twenty years the global information infrastructure, often referred to as the internet or “the net” will become as generalized…
Abstract
Few dispute the very strong likelihood that within twenty years the global information infrastructure, often referred to as the internet or “the net” will become as generalized, indispensable and invisible as today”s phone or electrical networks. Many commentators also expect this digital web to become the host for cyberspace, the next frontier. This article provides an overview of where a wide range of experts from business, government and the academic world believe this rapidly expanding global information infrastructure is heading over the next two decades.