4th International Conference on Pervasive Computing
Introduction
Thank you very much for your generous welcome. In particular, I would like to thank the hosts of this prestigious event - The Systems Research Group, in University College Dublin – and, indeed, all the corporate partners that have made this event possible.
It is interesting, I think, that so many people from Ireland - academia and our public and private sectors - have come together to support the conference - and to engage with their international counterparts in exploring this fascinating concept - Pervasive Computing. I am delighted that Ireland is hosting this conference. It is fair to say – I think - that modern Ireland is a very good fit for this event - both in terms of logistics - and in our closeness to the central theme of the conference - integrating ICT into the everyday environment.
It is a particuar pleasure for me to have been invited to speak this evening – because, as Minister for the Information Society – I have a keen interest in how technology can be applied – how and where they can add value – how they can enhance productivity – and, I suppose, how they can improve the quality of life.
I think there is a challenge for the technology industries – and technologists - in breaking down the barriers to technology – to usability and interactability – barriers that can prevent so many people from exploiting technology for their own benefit.
There is a need I think to explore how technologies can continue to be imbedded – how they can become integral elements in everyday items – in furniture, in domestic appliances or even in the fabric of the built environment – so that they can be taken more and more for granted in the experience of independent living – or in tracking and transporting goods – or, for instance, in health monitoring and treatment. This conference is, I think an invaluable opportunity to explore these issues – and to advance the concepts further.
I know you have an exciting schedule - with the Doctoral Colloquium in UCD - and interactive sessions on topics such as Smart Centres - and Context Awareness. And withinternationally renowned speakerssuch as Joe Marks - and David Tennerhouse - you are, I think, set to have a fascinating and rewarding conference.
Dublin Castle
Apart, of course, from the serious work that has brought you here - I think you should try to find some time to do a little exploration while you are in Dublin - to savour some of Dublin’s unique flavour. Indeed, we are in one of the most significant buildings in Dublin - and its history – Dublin Castle - a place that has dominated the city – and the country – for centuries. It is a place tat hasmany attractions – fromthese magnificent State Apartments- to the Gothic RevivalChapel Royal - just across the courtyard - andthe world renowned Chester Beatty Library.
Pervasive Computing
Most of us aren’t really aware that computers are pervasive – that they are in practically everything we use – in our cars – our TVs – our dishwashers – in fact, they are everywhere around us.
The secret of successful technology can often lie in its simplicity – in that it is not a major issue for the user – that the user – most of us – can simply take for granted – that it is unobtrusive and discreet.
To paraphrase one of the founders in your field of research - the late Mark Weiser - ‘it is about making the technology invisable’ . He envisaged a future where everything, from your office chair to your coffee maker at home, is intelligent and invisably connected.
As time moves on – and as newer technologies emerge – as new and more exciting possibilities open up - those thoughts of Mark Weiser from the late 1980s seem less and less bizarre or impossible.
I think the whole concept of invisable computing - of seamless interaction with technology - offers a great opportunity to include everyone – no matter what their personal circumstances might be - into what we now call the Knowledge society.
I think this is really important – especially as we face the challenges of an ageing population – and as we continue to strive to provide the means for independent living – to make it possible for people to preserve their self-esteem - and to live their lives in their own way – yet with the technology in the background to ensure that the vulnerabilities that come with age or infirmity are minimised or mitigated.
eInclusion
As your pioneering work in Pervasive Computing continues to grow and progress - I can see it becoming a real catalyst for positive change – and having a very positive impact in the whole area of what we call - “e-Inclusion”.
As I have said before in the Dáil - our House of Parliament - I believe it is pointless talking-up the Knowledge Economy and technology - without homing in on the social inclusion imperative – that is, how technology can be used as a lever for including people or sections of our community – who are in danger of being marginalised through economic, geographic or other circumstance.
We need to invest in people traditionally divorced from technology. Our citizens have the right to expect this of us - and society will undoubtedly be all the better - if we can ensure that people are ready to exploit technology – whether by making it accessible or usable – or by maximising their access to – and use of - pervasive and invisible technologies where it makes sense.
e-Inclusion Fund
From the Government’s standpoint - we set up an e-Inclusion fund in 2004 – to facilitate leading-edge projects on e-Inclusion. In 2005 - almost 50 projects have been supported through this fund.
This kind of support funding will have a positive impact in building the Knowledge Society in Ireland. I am happy to say that there is also a fund in 2006 – and I hope to be in a position shortly to issue a call for proposals.
Another example of our efforts to drive excellence in this key strategic policy area field - is Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). I think we are very fortunate to have a great asset for change and modernisation in SFI - whose core business is investing €646 million between 2000-2006 in academic researchers - in the fieldsof Biotechnology and ICT. It is a vital and positive driver for change in our modern society.
Conclusion
Currently – in my role as Minister for the Information Society – I am in the process of reviewing our strategies for building and developing the knowledge society in Ireland – for moving to the next stage of development. In that process, I want to build on our successes to date – and to use the lessons we have already learned.
I also think it is important to be aware of major international developments - including pioneering research into cutting-edge fields such as Pervasive Computing – and EU developments like i2010 – the EU Action Plan produced by Commissioner Reding – and to define Ireland’s niche – a new niche, perhaps - in the global knowledge economy.
Finally, I want to congratulate you once again - on your pioneering work in this key area. I look forward to going through the analysis and recommendations from the conference.
I have no doubt it – and, indeed, you – are making an important contribution to the debate in developing a policy framework for the Knowledge Society in Ireland – so that we grow our sustainable competitive advantage - and spread the benefits of technology across as many parts of society as possible.
Thank you
ENDS