Affiliated and Related Events
Satellite Workshops
We are pleased to announce that Alife XII will host three satellite workshops.
3rd Complex Systems Modelling and Simulation Workshop
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Organized by Paul Andrews, Susan Stepney, Adam Sampson, and Peter Welch
Go here to the workshop homepage.
The event will be the third in a series of workshops organised as part of CoSMoS, a UK-funded interdisciplinary complex systems modelling and simulation project (http://www.cosmos-research.org/). Previous workshops have provided a forum for research examining the construction of models and simulations of complex systems exhibiting emergent behaviours. This year we aim to complement the main themes of Alife XII by focusing the workshop on the engineering aspects of modelling and simulating (artificial) living systems. Relevant topics include: Modelling tools and techniques, Simulation infrastructures, Arguing validity of simulations, Concurrency techniques, Identification of reusable engineering techniques, Working across disciplines.
Applications for Alife in the built environment: New materials for the bottom up assembly of architecture
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Organized by Neil Spiller and Rachel Armstrong
A cross-disciplinary workshop that provides a forum for those working across all areas of Alife such as, synthetic biology, unconventional computing, self-assembling robotics, cybernetic systems and volumetric digital computing, to examine the potential applications of emerging technologies in the context of architectural practice. Building on ongoing work in the applications of Alife for the development of new architectural materials, architects and scientific researchers are invited to present their work in an informal setting.
Molecular Self-Organisation, Molecular Evolution, and Prebiotic Chemistry
August 20-21, 2010
Organized by Mark Dörr, Andrew Pratt, and Pasquale Stano.
Go here to the workshop homepage.
A large number of articles are published, modelling or speculating about self-organisation phenomena, about evolution, even on a molecular level and the origin of life; but very little experimental work has been done to explore possible reactions and even less to explain their mechanisms. Most of this experimental work was influenced by ideas and paradigms of Stanley Miller and Leslie Orgel. With their passing away and a certain re-constructive intermission a new generation of chemists tries to reformulate the questions and tackle much more complex problems. Chemists can now apply modern technologies, like high throughput screening, high resolution NMR, advanced mass spectroscopy, microfluidics, etc., that where not available at the time when the term "prebiotic chemistry" was born. In parallel with the increased understanding of cellular systems and evolution available from genomics, geochemistry and related fields, a deeper insight in molecular mechanisms and properties of matter can be developed.
Living Technology — Putting People in the Present
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Organized by the Initiative for Science, Society, and Policies
The concept of 'living technology' calls attention to the fact that modern science is increasingly capable of engineering systems whose power derives from the core features of life. Given the scientific state of the art, the possible perspectives and implications of living technology seem to be almost endless. The prospect of living technology generates hope of sustainable solutions to many of the serious challenges society now faces, such as climate change, worrisome demographics and explosive health-care expenses. However, living technology also raises fear about living and smart technology raising havoc as so often depicted by Hollywood.
ISSP invites you to participate in a public and media-covered event August 24th, 2010. The theme of the event is "Living technology: putting people in the present". Leading international scientists will explain what living technology is, what exists today, what will likely happen in the next few years, and why living technology may well be the most society-transforming technology within our generation. The short scientific talks will be followed by a discussion involving invited stakeholders, policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, students and other interested parties, who will reflect on real and near-term potential commercial impact of living technology as well as our hopes and fears. Thus, book your calendar now for August 24th, 2010 in Odense! We start in the late afternoon and continue with a public debate in the evening. A detailed program can be found as soon as available at www.science-society-policy.org.
Related Events
IEEE Conference on Computational Intelligence and Games (CIG 21010)
Note that immediately prior to Alife XII, the IT University of Copenhagen will host the IEEE Conference on Computational Intelligence and Games. We encourage participants to consider attending both events.
If you are running an event related to ALIFE XII, and wish to be mentioned here, please get in touch.