INTRODUCTION

The research on artificial intelligence (AI) started in the 1950s with Alan Turing’s seminal paper "Computing Machinery and Intelligence" and the Dartmouth conference. It had several ups and downs through the history. These first events sparked a golden age of discovery, which ended in the so-called first AI winter in the 1970s. However, it was soon succeeded by another boom in the 1980s, spurred by the Japanese fifth-generation computer project. The second AI winter followed, caused by the perception that AI is not fulfilling its promise. After that, we have seen steady progress, and right now we are at another peak of success: AI is applied in all areas of life and business, with examples ranging from self-driving-cars to the game of go.

The current success of AI happily coincides with several anniversaries. Slovenian AI research started in 1972, at the end of the initial golden age. Five years later, the Informatica journal was established, which published several papers on early Slovenian AI research – the journal celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. In 1992, the Slovenian AI Society was established, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Finally, the 20th Information Society multiconference is held this year, the best papers from which are traditionally published in the Informatica journal. All this has led the Slovenian AI Society and the Informatica journal to issue a call for papers for a special issue on artificial intelligence.


SCOPE OF THE SPECIAL ISSUE

Since this special issue commemorates Slovenian events, we invite papers from Slovenian AI researchers. However, since the Slovenian AI research is thoroughly interconnected with the international AI community, we also invite papers from AI researchers elsewhere, if they have some link with Slovenian AI research. The papers should be on any topic of artificial intelligence – be it traditional or emerging, including but not limited to the following broad areas:
- Machine learning
- Knowledge representation and reasoning
- Search and optimization
- Speech and language processing
- Autonomous agents and multi-agent systems
- Cognitive modelling
- General AI and superintelligence

Two types of papers are invited:
- Research papers dealing with AI methods. They can present completely original methods, derivations/modifications of established methods, or applications of AI methods (please note that at least some methodological innovation is required). These papers are expected to be 6–10 pages long, although this is not a hard limit.
- Position papers providing a historical perspective on some AI topic, in line with the nature of this special issue. These papers are expected to be two pages long, although this is again not a hard limit.


GUEST EDITORS

Mitja Lustrek (mitja.lustrek@ijs.si)
Jure Zabkar (jure.zabkar@fri.uni-lj.si)
Marko Grobelnik (marko.grobelnik@ijs.si)

Papers and inquiries about this special issue should be sent to the guest editors.