ICNNAI'01

The 2nd International Conference on Neural Networks and
Artificial Intelligence

       We want first to congratulate Professor Golovko and all his colleagues for having chosen such a lively subject. We are sure that your conference will contribute to the advancement of Artificial Neural Networks.
       We regret very much not to be able to attend. One of us has studied Neural Networks and develops now a Control system which is inspired by immunology. However, the senior of us (Ilya Prigogine) is not an expert in this field.
       The reason of the interest in Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) by scientists is that it's a multidisciplinary subject with links to neuroscience, mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, and engineering. Although mathematically equivalent to Turing Machines, the design of ANNs gives them the ability to learn from data. As a result, ANNs are invaluable tools in such diverse applications as pattern recognition, signal processing, time series analysis, image understanding, system identification, modeling and control. Furthermore, ANNs provide a greater degree of-fault tolerance than van Neumann computers because they are based on many more computational elements each with primarily local connections.
       Since the mid 1980s the new wave of ANNs came into being because the learning algorithms inspired by neural networks have allowed to simultaneously train feature extractors, classifiers, and contextual processors (hidden Markov models and language models). Learning pervades every level of intelligent machines in an increasing number of applications.
       Together with other bio logically-inspired information processing systems, like genetic algorithms and artificial immune systems, ANNs play a key role in the European research initiatives. Examples include:
       1) leading to new synergies between Neurosciences and Information Technologies in order to enable the construction of hardware/software "artifacts that live and grow", i.e. artifacts that self-adapt and evolve beyond pure programming.
       2) creation of integrated perception-response systems inspired by the sophistication of solutions found in living systems. "Perception" is meant to include sensorial, cognitive, control and response aspects, whether it refers to vision or hearing, or to any other type of interaction with the environment by a biological organism. Such systems would extend the capabilities of machines or be used to augment the human senses.
       3) comparison and combination of ANNs with other biologically inspired processing systems like Artificial Immune Networks.
       So, Artificial Neural Networks are really an important part of the new science which is emerging in this century. If any of the participants is interested in the work done under the auspices of the Solvay Institutes in Brussels, please write to Professor Ioannis Antoniou who is Assistant Director of our Institutes.
       Again best wishes,

Ilya PRIGOGINE, Director
Ioannis ANTONIOU, Deputy Director

       Welcome to the second International Conference on Neural Networks and Artificial Intelligence (ICNNAI'2001) at the Belarussian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics - one of the leading Universities in Belarus.
       ICNNAI'2001 is held in October 2-5, in Minsk, Belarus.
       It is hosted and organized by Ministry of Education, State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics and Belarus Special Interest Group of International Neural Network Society (Belarus SIG of INNS). Furthermore, ICNNA'2001 is organized in close collaboration with the INNS, Brest State Technical University and Institute of Engineering Cybernetics of National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Computer Information Technologies (Ukraine, Ternopil).
       We recognize fact that new millennium demands new approaches in field of Artificial Intelligence and Neural Networks. Therefore the key aims of ICNNAI are to present and discuss with the researchers from various countries scientific results and their applications in the broad field of neural computation, as well to review our past and to define new perspectives.
       After reviewing the Program Committee has accepted 45 submissions. The papers are grouped according to the following streams:
       - Cognitive Science.
       - Neural Networks theory.
       - Chaos theory and applications.
       - Neural Networks for classification and pattern recognition.
       - Applications: medicine, finance, multi-agents and data analysis.
       We would like to thank all those who contributed to the organization of this conference:
       - The members of the International Program Committee who carried out all the organizational necessities so that the Conference runs smoothly.
       - The members of the Local Organizing Committee who works tirelessly to make the Conference a success.
       - The Nobel Prize Prof. Prigogine and Prof. Ioannis Antoniou for their supporting in organization of the Conference.
       - The authors of the papers being presented at the Conference.
       It is our hope that ICNNAI attracts your interest and we hope to see you in Belarus! Once again welcome to Minsk!

Mikhail P. Batura
Valentin V. Muravyew
Rauf Kh. Sadykhov
Vladimir A. Golovko

The Conference was being organized by:
• Ministry of Education (Belarus)
• Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (Belarus)
• Belarus Special Interest Group of International Neural Network Society (SIG INNS)

In cooperation with:
• International Neural Network Society
• Brest State Techical University (Belarus)
• Belarusian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Engineering Cybernetics (Belarus)
• Institute of Computer Information Technologies (Ukraine, Ternopil)

Sponsored by:
• Belarusian Foundation Research Fund