FW: Trip Report: Semantic Technologies Conference

["Jeff Pollock" <Jeff.Pollock@networkinference.com>]

FYI...trip report from the semantic tech conference, a little skewed towards NI interests.  hope some find it interesting.  there were some very cool presentations, I will pass along links to them as the become available.

 

-Jeff-

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From: Jeff Pollock
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 9:29 AM
Subject: Trip Report: Semantic Technologies Conference

 

The Good

• Attendance was pretty strong, I’d guess around 125 people
• SWAG on mix: 20% vendors, 20% end-users, 15% VCs, 15% academic, 30% SIs
• Deb McGuinness’ keynote was great, it provided a balanced, yet OWL/RDF-centric view of the evolving semantics space
• Trust and proof topics were discussed – alluding to internal KSL work being done around trust models and query planning
• Note: I am curious here as to any overlap with OWL-S activit     
• The first panel series was focused on FOAF and RSS type stuff, pretty interesting, but unfortunate that they were positioned as “semantic technologies now” – because in many ways, the panel I was on (with Contivo & Semantic Arts) had some much more near-term things to say.
• I talked about Network Inference really liking “the boring software problems” quietly focusing on areas like health care systems, supply chain environments, logistics systems, chart of accounts resolution, and net-centric warfare, while leaving the “exciting” mass-consumer semantic web to others.
• I also elaborated on the core value proposition for semantic technologies: fewer humans, more automation and adaptivness
• My talk centered on semantic use cases for the enterprise, calling specific attention to why OWL matters in those use cases
• Peter Norvig’s talk on Google’s conception of “bottom-up” semantics – inferring axioms from patterns of search engine hits (water runs downhill because there are more references to that than water running uphill) – was an interesting talk.
• The later panel included a set of VCs discussing why they have made investments in a particular space.
  • BoA, who represents Contivo, took a strong position that they don’t bet on technology, they bet on the business problem that is being solved
  • Palomar, who represents NI, took a strong position that they believe in betting on technology that solves major systemic pain-points
  • Both agreeing that other factors (mgmt, maturity, customers, etc.) are crucial as well
• The PARC conference center is a very nice facility, highly recommend it to anyone

 

The Bad

• Guha, of IBM, had to cancel at the last minute due to family problems
• I got cut short due to the previous three speakers taking a little more than their allotted time
• The conference was geared towards “the middle ground” – which meant it was not extremely useful for any one audience – Dave Hollander and I both agreed that it would have been more fun to spend the day talking with people about what they think semantics are

 

The Ugly

• My hotel over-booked and bumped me out and over to a Motel 6
• PARC is located in the middle of a cow patch, mmooooo!

 

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	Jeff T. Pollock Vice President, Technology Main: 760-476-0650 Direct: 415-971-2223 Fax: 760-476-0648 Web: www.networkinference.com Email: jeff.pollock@networkinference.com
5900 La Place Ct., Suite 250 Carlsbad, CA 92008 When OWL speaks, we understand.