The fifth generation computer systems project

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The Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project * H i d e o AISO Department of Electrical Engineering, Keio Unioersity, Tokyo, Japan

1. Professor Tohru Moto-oka Tohru Moto-oka, born in Tokyo on April 7, 1929, received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tokyo in March 1952. In April 1957 he became assistant professor in the same university's Department of Electrical Engineering, and in November 1958 earned a Ph.D. degree in that discipline, for which his dissertation was concerned with logic cells using magnetic core. He joined a research group to develop the first vacuum tube computer, called TAC (Tokyo Automatic Computer), which was completed in 1959. He was then invited to the Digital Computer Laboratory of the University of Illinois as a visiting assistant professor from August 1961 to March 1963. He became professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Tokyo in June 1967, and was visiting professor at the Washington University from July 1968 to January 1969, when he became director of the Computer Center of the University of Tokyo. Moto-oka won prizes from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Science and Technology, and a best paper award from the Information Processing Society of Japan. He also held the position of Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of New Generation Computing and the Information Processing Society of Japan. He chaired the following conferences: UJCC in 1978, FGCS in 1981 and 1984, VLSI and CHDL in 1985, and was chairman of the Very High-Speed * Lecture presented in the Moto-oka memorial session of the Frontiers in Computing Conference, December 9-11, 1987 in Amsterdam. North-Holland Future Generations Computer Systems 4 (1988) 159-175

Scientific Computing Systems (Supercomputers) project, the Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project and several I S O / I F I P technical committees. Tragically, Tohru Moto-oka died of cancer on November 11, 1985. It is also felt that he may have been a victim of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, as he was in a building only one mile from the center of the explosion. At the time it was considered fortunate that he had not been exposed very much to direct radiation, but later it became evident that he had absorbed a great deal of indirect radiation. His widow once told me that she wondered whether the damage he had sustained might have contributed to the shortening of his life. Table 1 Major projects for information technology in Japan Title

Period

Budget (in Billion yen)

(1) Very High-Performance Computer Systems

(2) Pattern Information Processing Systems (PIPS) (3) VLSI Technology (4) Basic Technology for Next Generation Computer Systems (Fourth Generation Computer Systems) (5) Optical Measurement and Control Systems (Optoelectronics Application Systems) (6) Basic Industrial Technology for the New Generation (7) Very High-Speed Scientific Computing Systems (Supercomputers) (8) Fifth Generation Computer Systems (FGCS) (9) Robotics for Work in Extreme Conditions (JUPITER) (10) Software Industrialized Generator and Maintenance Aids (SIGMA) (11) Interoperable Database Systems

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I still vividly recall how pleased he was with the tremendous success of the Fifth Generation Computer Systems project's initial research. Unfortunately, he was not to see the main fruits of so many people's research progress, including the Fifth Generation project and the Supercomputer projects. However, there is no doubt that people around the world will continue to talk about his extraordinary efforts and achievements for many years to come. I am sure that all of us will join in praying for his eternal rest.

Table 2 Preliminary discussions

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3. Novel Technology VLSI Very high-speed devices Communications Parallel processing architecture Software engineering Artificial intelligence

The FGCS project has been covered by the lecture of Dr. Uchida (published in this journal, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 245-252) so I shall not go into detail, but will instead consider some historic aspects in which Professor Moto-oka was involved. I shall also make some more general remarks concerning the future of FGCS. 2.1. The FGCS Project," How It Started The Japanese Government embarked upon large-scale national projects for information technology in 1966. The FGCS project was the eighth one and aimed at developing revolutionary computer systems to be used predominantly in the 1990s. (See Table 1 for an overview of these projects.) After three years of study the FGCS project formally started in 1982. We had preliminary discussions on how and what we should do in probably the most ambitious and most important project we had ever undertaken. (See Table 2 for an overview of the preliminary discussions.) Professor Moto-oka started three major research groups: the theory group; the architecture group; and the social needs group (see Table 3). 2.1.1. The Theory Group The theory group was comprised mainly of university and laboratory researchers. Dr. Kazuhiro Fuchi chaired the group in the study of new computer technology in all theoretical aspects including drastic improvements of software productivity, and a new programming language based on predicate logic programming, knowledge and information process capability, that is the intel-

1. Social requirements in the 1990s Productivities improvement International competition International cooperation Energy & resource saving 2 Problems with the existing computers High-speed operations Information retrieval on large semantic data Software production Pattern processing Non-Deterministic processing Man-machine interface

4. Possible impacts on society Social distortions Human abilities Effects on OA, FA, CAE, Robots, & DSS Potential applications

lectual activity demonstrated by the human being and that would be demanded of existing computer systems. Artificial Intelligence is the migration of the power of human logic into a computer so as to give the latter a more human quality.

Table 3 Preliminary study Organization Committee--Professor Tohru Moto-oka 1. Theory Group--Dr. Kazuhiro Fuchi Software productivity Logic programming Knowledge processing Artificial intelligence 2 Architecture Group--Professor Hideo Also VLSl technology Parallel & distributed processing Non-numeric & non-deterministic processing

Knowledge base systems 3. Social Needs Group--Dr Hajime Karatsu Social requirements Social impacts Internationalization Aged & information-oriented societies

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2.1.2. The Architecture Group The architecture group, chaired by myself, comprised talented researchers and engineers from universities, laboratories and major industries. We had four university professors, two laboratory researchers and about ten people from industry. We discussed architectural problems in existing computers and looked for appropriate ways to alleviate them, forecasting VLSI 3-D technology and other device technology and their impact on computer architecture. We worked on large-scale multi-processor computing and distributed control systems and nonnumeric, pattern-recognition and non-determined processes for heuristic problem-solving schemes based on trial and error methods using sophisticated inference functions. Requirements of new

applications, that is, inference functions together with knowledge-based systems, will become the kernel of the future information processing system and other sophisticated non-Von Neumann computing facilities and useful man machine interface functions.

2.1.3. The Social Needs Group The social needs group was led by Dr. Hajime Karatsu. The members were mostly computer users from various application fields. ]'hey discussed social requirements of FGCS, in particular the impact on future societies, international competition and cooperation, and potential applications and new business opportunities to be created by FGCS. We had very intense discussions, at least once a

H. Also / Fifth GenerationComputerSystemsProject

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weak and often stayed together for overnight discussions in an hotel. All members were wellqualified researchers and collaborated with each other on private and volunteer basis. My observation from these various experiences is that the success of the project critically depends both on very well-qualified people working very hard and on the very intensive collaboration of universities, industry and laboratories.

architecture group proposed a highly distributed computer system designed and implemented with sophisticated non-Von Neumann computing facilities (see Fig. 1). This system consists of three levels. Level 1 was called Super personal computer, or just VLSI prolog work-station. At that time we did not use the term workstation. Level 2 is called service machine, consisting of various machines, e.g. user service machines, to process a user's program by a high-level language machine. The service machine takes care of the communication network between a distributed database

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Table 4 Functional requirements

machine and control machines for the simulation machines, scientific machines, and user support machines of Level 3. Level 3 machines are called dedicated or shared machines. They are shared by the users. Useful monitors and control systems for users, e.g. powerful help systems, effective devices for highly parallel subsystems, hardware and software monitors or automatic tuning mechanisms, are distributed throughout the whole system. This idea was an extended version of the existing computer system and based on the exploitation of the modern computer system implementing non-Von Neumann computing functions.

1. Problem-solving and inference function 100 M-1 G LIPS (1 LIPS =100-1000 IPS)

2. Knowledge base management function 100-10O0 GB 3. Intelligent interface function Pattern information processing

4. Intelligent programming function U KIPS: Knowledge Information Processing System

2.3. Logic Programming the 1990s. Their concept, including the assumption of predicate logic language as the kernel language, is an hypothesis but not a random choice. It is a vision based on an overall analysis of the past and future processes of research and technology in the information processing world. We discussed, over and over again, which direction we should take and what subject we should focus on. Professor Moto-oka took upon himself the complexity of arbitration. He led us to the conclu-

On the other hand the theory group, directed by Dr. Fuchi, now director of ICOT, insisted on the investigation of knowledge and information processing based on a logic programming language: Prolog. They considered that logic programming would be more effective towards a drastic improvement in software productivity and the processing of natural languages as well as knowledge bases, rather than LISP or other languages in

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sion that we should concentrate our research on logic programming-oriented computer architecture. 2.4. Applications

We have recognized crucial problems with current-generation computers to be solved or alleviated in the 1990s (see Fig. 2). It is necessary to realize easy-to-use computer systems for non-specialist users. This means that we have to study natural language processing capability intensively. And we should provide systems for intellectual activities of human beings, which existing computers do not provide. It is also imperative to drastically improve the software productivity. FGCS are expected to be revolutionary computer systems that incorporate and exploit the concept of Artificial Intelligence, substantially different from the traditional Von Neumann computer (see

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also Fig. 3). From the viewpoint of computer architecture, highly parallel and distributive processing is essential for future computers. It is also important to implement hardware for inference and knowledge concepts. We should provide an intelligent programming environment for professionals and some means of automatic programming. 2.5. The Basic FGCS Architecture

After intensive discussions about future computing we were able to describe the basic configuration image of the Fifth Generation Computer System. (See Fig. 4.) We adopted Prolog as the kernel of the FGCS. This played a very important role as the interface between hardware and software and the functional specification of both systems. For the hardware system we effectively exploited the logic programming language. The in-

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ference machine and the knowledge based machine are connected through intelligent interface hardware. We utilized VLSI technology intensively to realize the hardware system, and built the basic software system essential for the development of the application system to be demonstrated at the end of this project. The system consists of several software modules for problem solving and inference, knowledge-based management, intelligence interface and intelligent pro-

gramming. These may create a user interface for knowledge programming and intelligent interface. The hardware and software components of FGCS are to provide problem solving and inference functions to allow users to solve their problems in a human fashion, while carrying out logical reasoning using knowledge stored in knowledge bases. It requires a natural performance of 100 Mega to 1 Giga LIPS (Logical inference per second) each one taking typically

H. Also / Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project

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100-1000 machine instructions• (See Table 4.) A knowledge-based system stores not only factual data but also knowledge about the data, such as rules, structure, etc., and has a storage capacity of 100-1000 Giga Byte. The Intelligent Programming Function is meant for Pattern Information Processing so that the user can interact with computers using pictures and images• The Intelligent Programming Function is aimed at enhancing the intelligence of the computer to relieve the user of the burden of programming complexity• A picture of the FGCS is shown in Fig. 5 (provided by MITI), so that you can grasp the ideal image of the forthcoming FGCS. I do not think that it is possible to realize this ideal machine in the proposed ten years•

2.6. The Stages The research and development related to FGCS is very much directed by the advanced applications. Extremely advanced technologies are to be used involving high-level LISP. The old system is expected to continue as long as ten years. We divided these ten years into three stages, as shown

in Fig. 6. The basic technologies required to construct the FGCS were developed in the initial stage (Fig. 7). In 1984 we began to investigate parallel machine architectures and the Prolog language for a parallel inference machine, called KL1 (Kernel Language version 1). Initially, Concurrent

Table 5 Research plan in the intermediate stage (hardware system)

Inference subsystem Experimental system (PIM: Parallel Inference Machine (100 PEs)) • PE (processor Element): based on a sequential execution mechanism, 50-100 KLIPS IPE • PIM system with PIMOS (PIM Operating System) - C o m p o n e n t module prototype • Module: Based on a parallel execution m e c h a n i s m (dataflow, reduction)

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H. Aiso / Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project

Prolog had been chosen as the base, and much effort has been given to its detailed specification and implementation. However, our endeavours brought to light the problems contained in Concurrent Prolog regarding semantics and efficient execution, and after intensive discussion it was decided to adopt another version of parallel Prolog G H C (Guarded Horn Clauses) as the language of KL1. In the intermediate stage, on the basis of the recent results from the initial stage, two experimental subsystem groups, the inference group and the knowledge-based group, were set up. Subsystems are expected to be the basis of the FGCS. Also, the Development Support System group created the software for the Parallel Inference Machine (PIM) (see also Uchida's lecture)• This is a system consisting of closely connected CPUs of the already developed PSI machine (Fig. 8). The multi-PSI machine will be an important tool for the execution of parallel processing to help the technical development for necessary trial execution of software for parallel processing. In the final stage a complete proto-typesystem of the FGCS will be developed using the approximately 1000 very high-speed processing units and by integrating all the results so far achieved. In order to justify the usefulness of the project several applications should be demonstrated on the FGCS by the end of the project. Some of the candidates for the demonstration systems are shown in Fig. 9. For an overview of the research plans in the intermediate stage, see Tables 5-7. The goals to be reached at the end of the intermediate stage are shown in Table 8. 2. 7. F G C S in Future Society

Recently, ICOT started to develop an Expert System to be run on an FGCS meant for a largescale electrical power plant, to be used for controlling and managing the plant and giving advice about the complex control system as well as carrying out remote diagnostics• Another research group at ICOT is developing programs for Japanese chess with the appropriate assistance of professional players• ICOT is also estimating the roles and impact of FGCS in Future Society• The impact of FGCS is often compared with that of automobiles• Utilization of automobiles increased man's mobility. The use of FGCS combined with telecommunication

Table 6 Research plan in the intermediate stage (basic software 1)

Kernel language, problem solving and inference software - Kernel language • K L - 1 (GHC) language processor: on SIM & Multi-SlM • Design of specifications for KL-2 - Parallel inference software: PIM Operating System (PIMOS) - Study of basic high-level inference software, multi-expert system, etc.

Knowledge- base management software - Knowledge representation language (for special domain) - Knowledge-base management software (for dictionary) - Study of distributed k n o w l e d g e base model

Intelligent interface software - Improvement of Discourse Understanding System (DUALS) - Japanese GPSG (grammar and parser)

Intelligent programming software - Japanese program specification writing system - Program transformation and verification system - Computer aided proving system

Experimental systems - Experimental expert systems • Expert system s u p p o r t tools • Software design, logic circuit design, diagnosis and consultation system etc. - Intelligent information retrieval system, intelligent OA system, etc.

networks will expand intellectual mobility on a social scale. FGCS will have much more influence than the automobile and will contribute very much to the promotion of knowledge processing, user-

Table 7 Research plan in the intermediate stage (development support system) Development s u p p o r t system - Pilot model: multi-PSI system (work bench) for parallel software devel opment • V1 : 6 - 8PEs based on current PSI with KL0 • V2: M o r e than 16 PEs based on new PSI with KL1 - Improvement of SIM I SIMPOS • New PSI t CHI: smaller size, higher cost performance • Improved SIMPOS: more programming support, network OS - Development s u p p o r t network system • PSI-Net (LAN) • Nation-wide (DDX), international connection

H. Aiso / Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project Table 8 Goal for end of intermediate stage and current situation Research theme

Goal for end of intermediate stage

Current situation (as of end March 1987)

Inference subsystem System image

1. PIM pilot system of about 100 element processors (stress on connected network: about 5 million logical inference per second. (min 5MLIPS)) 2. High-performance element Pnodules through reduction and data flow techniques (stress on intra-element parallelism for final-stage PE: 10 unit parallel operation to be achieved, with 200000 logical inference per second per module: (200 KLIPS)) Kernel language V1 (KL1) machine language direct execution Ability to run parallel machine OS (PIMOS)

Function outline

1. Based on kernel language specifications and architecture functional specifications completed last year, detailed design of overall system configuration and hardware modules (element processors, parallel memory, networking etc.) undertaken. Machine command specifications formulated for machine language based on GHC: Test processing system used for evaluation while actual experimental procedure detailed. 2. Prototype simulator from the first stage and new software simulator divided for individual objectives for individual evaluation of modules from (1). Data collected on operational characteristics of multiple load distributed control techniques.

Knowledge- base subsystem System image

1. System composed of engine running in parallel processing and the basic control mechanisms to drive it (parallel control mechanism, machine architecture--, 4 - 1 0 knowledgebase operation engines) 2. Distributed knowledge-base control mechanism --, 4 - 10 subsystems

Function image

- A b i l i t y to combine expert knowledge from multiple fields as required, and handle inferential processing on a knowledge-base machine - Distributed management and parallel management control functions for management and control of knowledge resources

1. Portion of knowledge operation engine (8 parallel prototypecl, and design/prototype of driver control mechanism 2. Detail design and partial prototyping of distributed knowledge-base control mechanism (4 point)

5G kernel language System image

1. Final specification for KL1 system description language (full set) 2. Completion of KL1 Multi-PSI parallel language processing system (full set) 3. KL2 outline specifications completed

Function outline

- System description language will have modularized functions and extended macro functions required for PIMOS V1 prototyping - Maximum optimization for full parallel machine performance

1. KL1 system description language specification (simple version) design and KLIC processing system prototyping undertaken, descriptive capability under evaluation 2. Multi-PSI language processing system core completed, under testing on Multi-PSI

Parallel software development machine pilot mode/ System image

1. Connection of at least 20 compact PSI to a Multi-PSI system (Multi-PSI V2, 1 MLIPS min.) 2. Enhanced version of system and KL1 program development system (cross system)

Function outline

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Execution of KL1 through firmware on each PSI - Execution of PIMOS Vl, implementation of stable operation needed for parallel software development

1. Completion of Multi-PSI V1 hardware connection current PSI in mesh network. Undergoing testing with 6 units (software for KL1 processing system). Investigated KL1 firmware processing techniques (high-speed execution techniques for V2) 2. Pseudo*multi-PSI (multi-PSI simulator implemented with PSI) prototyped and debug functions undergoing testing, for use at a debugging system for the parallel processing environment in the KL1 program

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]70 Table 8 (continued) Research theme

Goal for end of intermediate stage

Current situation (as of end March 1987)

1. High-speed LAN with 20-50 PSI per unit

1. LAN (single-unit LAN) based on 1-10 PSI units installed in 18 sites, connectable through general purpose machines such as .: VAX 2. DDX network connection between sites 3. Connection to USE Net and CS Net

Network system System image

network 2. High-reliability DDX network connection, with a maximum of 100 sites 3. Packet-switching network for expansion of connection range to overseas sites

Function outline

Logical name only for mail and file transfers to eliminate intra-/international differences Addition of security functions and provision of high reliability Expansion of connection to international networks to start with US and Europe

Verification software System image

1. Development of test system for next-generation expert system construction tools 2. Development of knowledge acquisition support test system for expert systems

Function outline

- Knowledge representation model with high level of general applicability of knowledge semantic representation and incomplete knowledge Inference functions suited to knowledge type - Inference strategy control using meta-knowledge - Knowledge acquisition support function suited to diagnosis and design problems

1. Detail design and coding completed for PROTON 2. Basic function determination and implementation potential investigated for next-generation tools 3. Basic functions for knowledge acquisition support system investigated

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1. Construction of basic framework for discourse understanding system 2. Implementation of processing system to offer natural language tools usable in general natural language research and development 3. Implementation of semantic/knowledge representation language processing system covering all programming environment and compiler elements

Function outline

- Organization of technical framework or discourse understanding - Creation of tools unsable for research and development into various natural languages Creation of semantic/knowledge representation language for general use -

1. Prototype of DUALS V2 completed with all functions for discourse understanding, from syntax analysis to text generation. Details DUALS V3 specifications being developed through evaluation of total system including high-speed syntax analysis, semantic and contextual analysis and text generation 2. Determination of syntax analysis and text generation portions from DUALS V2, and development as natural language processing tool VI. Investigation of parallel processing version underway 3. Specifications of semantic/knowledge representation language (CIL)V2 completed, and programming environment enhanced. Description tests and functional improvement undertaken for conversation interpretation test system and natural language processing tools

H. Also / Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project Table 8 (continued) Research theme

Goal for end of intermediate stage

Intelligent programming software module System 1. System capable of verifying mathematic image equivalent to freshman university level 2. System for verification of program characteristics in logical programs, conversion and synthesis, characteristic analysis and editing 3. Intelligent programming environment Function outline

-Verification system for theorem proving in intelligent programming Basic technology and integration for system handling first order predicate logic program conversion, analysis and verification Programming environment for total intelligent system -

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Problem- solving inference software module System 1. PIMOS kernel system (V2) prototype comimage pleted, operating on Multi-PSI V2 Prototype problem-solving test system with analogy function 3. Cooperative problem-solving test system and small-scale application system prototypes 2 .

Function outline

- Load distribution handled dynamically in response to fluctuations in loading of element processors Test problem-solving system with induction and similarity functions prototyped Cooperative problem-solving test system applications running -

Current situation (as of end March 1987) 1. Theorem proving technology used to partially prototype theorem proving support system and general verification function based on term rewriting. Now under testing 2. Detail design for program verification system and conversion synthesis system argument analysis system, partial prototyping 3. Detail design work and partial prototyping for total system undertaken for library management generation support functions and coordinator conversational editing functions, to add intelligent functions to the programming environment

1. Detail design and partial prototyping completed for portions closely related to PIMOS KL1 processing system, and detail investigation of functions for remaining portions completed 2. Logic capable of providing integrated explanation of common sense reasoning and analogy investigated. Compile test run on meta-inference system for similarity inference 3. Cooperative problem-solving system tested with multiple GHC problems

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Knowlege base management software System 1. Improvement of knowledge representation image and utilization system and test systems for specific applications 2. Knowledge acquisition support system improvement and specific application test systems 3. Implementation of distributed knowledge base management function on LAN-connected PSI, capability to use in testing as a natural language dictionary and theorem proving system database Function outline

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Dynamic system description, verification that qualitative reasoning and deep inference functions implemented (for IC and MSI complexity levels) Experimental introduction of equation processing to learning function Provision of application-oriented function suited to construction fo knowledge base for natural language processing (several hundred thousand rues/facts on a PSI)

1. For Mandala investigation of shared database function in parallel distributed environment (basic function for dynamic system expression) investigated 2. Acquisition technique based on learning of problem-solving strategic knowledge investigated and portions programmed 3. For Kappa, detail design and partial system prototyping completed for verification of function and characteristic specifications on PSI

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H. Also / Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project

Table 9 Examples of 5G computer applications 5G Computers are anticipated to extend to a wide range of areas in industries and society Industrial areas

Design Production processes Development Management Office work Maintenance

(CAD/CAE) (Intelligent robots, CAM) (Expert Systems for efficient development) (Expert Systems for Decision-support) (Intelligent CA) (Remote diagnosis)

Social areas

Education Clinical

(CAI) (Medical consultation, automated nursing)

international areas

Translation

(Automatic translation)

Manufacturing industry

industry Electronic industry

// /

/

8

// //

"a>.~

/

r "O

Media environment

jJ/'J ~ (~s/¢

Distributi¢ .ransportatiO= Transportation

Medical services Security services

Home "¢J

Software house Informati processin!

Consumer

Medical

Publication

8~

.~ // Radio / TV / .~-~ / b r o a d - / broad casting ~,casting Advertisement ~ tion

Service industry 0

\ Education

Knowledge industry Fig. 9. Next generation industries. (From: H. Karatsu et al., ICOT Report, 1982.)

H. Aiso / Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project

173

Negotiation of R & D Plan

Right of R & D Results (Patents and Knowhow) I

ICOT • Research Center Electro-technical Lab.

Auspices

Research Center

(Research & Development work)

of the Mrrl

Compute,

Manufacturers

ICOT Funds

General Office Affairs (Office work, etc.)

ProjectPromotion Committee. & Working Groups

(Universities) ResearchInstitutes

Research 1 NN~ Staff

1

NTT, KDD • Computer Manufacturers

Fujitsu, Hitachi Matsushita. Mitsubishi NEC,OKI, Sharp, Toshiba /

I Development &Making work

• Computer Manifacturers

"~

Fig. 10. Modalitiesand mechanismof FGCSproject.

friendly knowledge management and inference functions, knowledge industries and new business opportunities. Innovations in administration systems will be derived along with international relations and the alleviation of crucial programs in management and the transformation of major low-productivity industries, and unemployment caused by the implementation of electronics and robots. A new world of applications will be opened by FGCS. (See Table 9 and Fig. 9). They create knowledge industries and new business opportunities. It is predicted that the future society will be one in which knowledge is treated as capital, but where knowledge is also a common property. FGCS will also change our way of living. Helped by FGCS technology, I hope that adequate health and welfare systems and education for everyone will be realized in the 21st century.

I hope this presentation has brought about a beter understanding of Professor Moto-oka's contribution to the promotion of Japanese Information technology as a pathfinder of the Fifth Generation Computer Age. Appendix. Some Infornmlion Abou! tile Or~anizalion of ICOT In Fig. 10 the modalities and mechanisms used in the FGCS project to interact with MITI, other researchers, industries, etc., are displayed. The layout of ICOT's organization is displayed in Fig. 11. The internal organization of IOT is shown in Fig. 12. The annual budgets are shown in Table 10. ICOT has quite an extensive program of international cooperation. An overview is given in Table 11.

174

H. Aiso /Fifth Generation Computer Systems Project

Table 10 Research budget supported by MITI Fiscal year

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

Total

Budget (in billion Yen)

0.42

2.72

5.12

4.77

5.49

5.63

5.76

29.91

Table 11 International co-operation in R&D, propagation activities of FGCS project results Preparation and distribution of technical journals (Such as the ICOT Journal, technical reports/memorandums written in english) Sponsorship of the International Conference on FGCS (1981 & 1984) Dispatch of researchers (universities, ICOT) to international Conference/Meeting to present technical papers Invitation of experts (researchers) to ICOT for short period for research exchange Acceptance of visitors to ICOT (researchers, journalists, etc.)

President H

Executive Director

I

Managing [ Director

I

General Manager

~

Administration Department

General Affairs Office

Relations Department Research Planning Department

Director of Research Center Board of Directors

I Auditor

I

Steering Committee I

t Management Committee

lAssistant Director [

Research

Ist Research Laboratory 2nd Research Laboratory

__l 3rd Research

Laboratory

Center

4th Research

,.L

Technology Committee

1

•[

Laboratory

5th Research Laboratory

Project Promotion Committee & Working Groups Fig. 11. ICOT organisation.

I

I

H. Aiso / Fifth GenerationComputerSystemsProject Research Planning Department

Director of Research Center

1st Research

Assistant Director

Laboratory 2nd !- Researcl~ ] Laboratory

ICOT Research Center

Advice

Research & Development" Work ) (!Kerneltanguage •Basic Problem Solving and Inference Software Knowledge Base Management "Basic Software

Intefligent interface { i Intelligent Programming

l

i I I-

3rd Research _~ °Knowledge Base Machine Laboratory

-

4th Research Laboratory

/ Inference Machine (Parallel) I Parallel Software Development System

:-

5th Research Laboratory

(Experimentalfor &BasicDem°nstrati°nSoftwareSystem

From

( Universities Research Institutes )

Project Promotion Committee I & Working Groups I

Development & Making Work IComputer Manufacturers I

Fig. 12. ICOT research center organization.

]?5