Abstract
The aim of this paper was to provide a framework and novel methodology geared towards mapping technological change in complex interdependent systems by using large amounts of unstructured data from various recent on- and offline sources. Combining techniques from the fields of natural language processing and network analysis, we are able to identify technological fields as overlapping communities of knowledge fragments. Over time persistence of these fragments allows to observe how these fields evolve into trajectories, which may change, split, merge and finally disappear. As empirical example we use the broad area of Technological Singularity, an umbrella term for different technologies ranging from neuroscience to machine learning and bioengineering, which are seen as main contributors to the development of artificial intelligence and human enhancement technologies. Using a socially enhanced search routine, we extract 1,398 documents for the years 2011-2013. Our analysis highlights the importance of generic interface that allow ease the recombination of technology to increase the pace of technological progress. While we can identify consistent technology fields in static document collections, more advanced ontology reconciliation is needed to be able to track a larger number of communities over time.
Original language | English |
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Book series | Lecture Notes in Computer Science |
Volume | 8851 |
Pages (from-to) | 359-383 |
Number of pages | 24 |
ISSN | 0302-9743 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Event | SocInfo 2014: 6th International Conference on Social Informatics - MediaPro / Imagina, Avinguda Diagonal 177, 08018 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Duration: 10 Nov 2014 → 13 Nov 2014 Conference number: 6 |
Conference
Conference | SocInfo 2014 |
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Number | 6 |
Location | MediaPro / Imagina, Avinguda Diagonal 177, 08018 Barcelona |
Country/Territory | Spain |
City | Barcelona |
Period | 10/11/2014 → 13/11/2014 |
Keywords
- Technology forecasting
- natural language processing
- network analysis
- dynamic community detection