My primary research interest has been the application of Artificial Intelligence. My PhD work concentrated on how Artificial Intelligence could improve domestic living by learning occupancy patterns, learning to predict occupant requirements and intelligently complying with user requirements. The main focus was to make the home system able to anticipate the needs of the occupant and transparently control the environment in a way that the occupant would wish for.
Although my research interests remain with Artificial Intelligence, a more focused investigation into human intelligence, learning, thinking and knowledge lead to a shift in research emphasis towards these issues. I have a strong conviction that the study of artificial forms of these concepts along with and in parallel with the human forms, leads to a richer understanding of a more general view of intelligence, thought, knowledge and learning.
Related concepts of human knowledge such as trust and belief are particularly enlightening when considering artificial forms. The rigour with which artificial forms of intelligence and related concepts must be implemented are also enlightening with respect to the human forms of these concepts. I am intrigued by the problems that seem to be created when people do not share a common understanding of the issues that they are collectively working on. This contrasts with the way computer interaction would be designed with ‘blackboard systems’ etc that ensure that all systems work on the same problems and concepts.