ENGINEERING AND DIGITAL ARTS


Research seminar(s)

Next Seminar

The School of Engineering and Digital Arts is pleased to announce the next in our series of research seminars.

Virtual Worlds as Portals for Information Discovery

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 - 11.30-12.30 pm

Jennison Lecture Theatre

Shannon Bohle, MLIS, FRAS
Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge
Chair: Dr. Farzin Deravi

Abstract

Virtual worlds provide immersive environments ideal for education, training and simulation, artificial intelligence research, engineering and robotic modelling. Through implementation of increasingly realistic graphics, artificial intelligence, improved human-computer interfaces, and the mantra of “gamication”, virtual worlds have become explorative and interactive settings to research information seeking patterns and behaviours. This presentation will discuss what I have learned over the past three years about how organizations, such as NASA, the US Army, and the IEEE use virtual worlds for serious games, looking specifically at points of intersection I have had with these groups. Firstly, I will discuss the information seeking behaviour of avatar-based library patrons visiting the Neil A. Armstrong Library and Archives (2008-2011), where I volunteered as the founder and director of the rst virtual world digital library or archive recognized by the Library of Congress. A machinima video featuring a patron's astrophysics question in the library was shown at the Nobel Museum in Sweden. Secondly, virtual worlds are computerized environments where people and intelligent agents conceptually have a level playing field in which to interact. Intelligent agents hold the potential to automate multiple actor scenarios other-wise conducted by human controllers. To attract new ideas in virtual worlds and artificial intelligence, the White House advertised an international competition called the Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge. In 2011, 2nd place in the category “AI Concept Exploration” was awarded to “Curiosity AI”, my virtual 3D simulation of Mars, its rovers, robots, and satellites. LIS literature played a role in my design of AI functions. The question-answer manner in which librarians interact with patrons (a “reference interview”) is similar to the structure of a Turing test, relying upon discourse satisfaction as the primary success measure. Curiosity AI took Turing tests farther by employing a humanoid embodied agent that communicated with facial expressions, gestures, and spatial movement, as well as controlling other agents using text-based chat. Additional AI areas covered included: autonomous movement and obstacle avoidance, expert systems, rovers, swarms, and in-situ data analysis. Also mentioned will be Project MOSES (US Army), CPMI (DISA affiliated), as well as a virtual world study group for the “Introduction to AI” course taught by Peter Norvig and Sebastian Thrun. In short, the key to improving information discovery is changing how we interact with digital information and the information seeking tools that mine information for us, and cutting edge virtual worlds researchers are at the forefront of the future of AI and HCI. Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are my own and are not representative of any organization named.


Speaker Biography

Shannon Bohle holds the master in library and information science (mlis) degree and is a professional librarian and archivist. Her background includes approximately 15 years of work experience in informal education (library, archive, and museum) and formal education (K-16). During her graduate study for the MLIS, she completed a project relating to the history of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program at NASA Glenn Research Centre in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to obtaining her graduate degree, Shannon worked at the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum assisting with the education programming and working as a tour guide. Later, Shannon worked with the collection of one of the founding members of NACA (the precursor to NASA) located in the Oberlin College Archives. Shannon then served for a year at Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory as the archivist of a living Nobel Prize winning scientist’s collection (James D. Watson, co-discoverer with Crick and Wilkens of the structure of DNA) in the area of molecular biology. This included the official compilation of his books in translation in 26 languages. She has lectured on molecular biology digital resources at the University of California, Berkeley (2007) and science archives and history at the University of Oxford (2008). She presently serves at the volunteer Director of the Library and Archives at NASA CoLab in Second Life, a public-private collaboration with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It is the first library or archives in a synthetic immersive environment recognized by the Library of Congress (MARC Code: CaPsLAN). The project received various media coverage, including an article on CNN's website. Her recent project "Curiosity AI" won second place in "AI Concept Exploration" in The White House/Department of Defence international 2011 Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge, including a check for $3,000, an engraved trophy, a ribbon, and a medallion from the DoD / US Army for "Simulation, Training & Research."

Shannon serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Library & Archival Security. She is also a consultant for The Science & Entertainment Exchange, a program of the National Academy of Sciences, that "connects cutting edge scientists, engineers, and doctors to writers, producers, directors, and actors in Hollywood in a free exchange of ideas to further a dialogue between the science and entertainment communities." Finally, Shannon is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.


Each seminar lasts approximately 60 minutes with a 45 minute prensentation and 15 minutes for questions.

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Last Updated: 02/04/2012