Letter from the chair

Since I came to this position, I've been interested in seeing how we can increase the involvement and participation of AI researchers and practitioners in countries with few or no members. Now that progress is underway on other fronts, I'm hoping SIGART can devote serious attention to this issue. Although SIGART has members in many different countries, so far local SIGART chapters have been organized in only two: Turkey and Australia. It is an understatement to say that there is tremendous opportunity for growth! Recently, I've been corresponding with Guy Boy, director of EURISCO in Toulouse, France. As Executive-Vice Chair of ACM-SIGCHI, he led a SIGCHI International Advisory Task Force. In their study, they addressed a variety of questions: • Relationship with other national and international organizations. The establishment of formal cooperations including joint memberships and joint sponsorships of conferences. • Language and cultural differences. Concerns with lack of materials other than in English and differences in writing , methods of evaluation, and reviewers' patterns of ratings. • SIG-sponsored international scientific projects. Having scientific projects is a way to transfer know-how and keep local research groups together in some countries. • Developing countries and economic disparities. Access to up-to-date literature and participation in international meetings is an issue where finances are limited. SIG dues are unaffordable for some. • Networking, collaborative projects, and mobility. Communication and awareness of local and regional activities and funding sources need to be fostered. • Society status and international issues. Addressing international needs may impose additional SIG infrastructure and staffing requirements. If you are a member of SIGART from somewhere outside of North America, I' d like to invite you to participate with us in a similar SIGART International Advisory Task Force that will begin to operate in the first few months of 2001. If you are interested, just send me an email message at jbradshaw@ai.uwf.edu. I hope that by working together we can find ways to better serve the AI research community throughout the world.