A new book edited by a Central Queensland University academic could help dramatically change information processing.

CQU’s Dr Victor Korotkich and Dr Vladimir Dimitrov from the University of Western Sydney, edited “Fuzzy Logic: A Framework for the New Millennium” which was published by Springer-Verlag in February in Heidelberg, Germany and New York.

Dr Korotkich said fuzzy logic now opened a new, challenging perspective in information processing.

“This perspective emerges out of ideas of the founder of fuzzy logic Lotfi Zadeh, to develop soft tools for direct computing with human perceptions. Eventually, it may lead to a radical enlargement of the role of natural languages in information processing, decision and control,” Dr Korotkich said.

In his last annual address Lotfi Zadeh wrote: "My attention has been focused on the development of computing with words, precisiated natural language and the computational theory of perceptions. Although I am not an objective prognostician, I believe that computing with words and related methodologies will be viewed in retrospect as a significant paradigm shift in the evolution of science." CQU significantly contributes to this paradigm shift. Dr Korotkich said the book had its origins in the Fuzzy Logic Conference which CQU hosted in Mackay two years ago with Lotfi Zadeh as the guest speaker. Lotfi Zadeh also published a paper in the book about computational theory of perceptions. The book contains papers of leading experts in the area and focuses on fuzzy logic, soft computing, and its engineering and social applications.

Dr Korotkich said that far from being confined to theory, the implications of fuzzy logic already touched the lives of many people in everyday activities.

He expects the influence of ideas in the book could soon directly impact those involved with information processing activities through such developments as improved Internet search engines.

Ideas outlined in the book are already a very hot topic of discussion and research in the heart of information technology in Silicon Valley in the United States.

The book is available on the Internet from Springer-Verlag or Amazon.com Dr Korotkich is available for immediate interview. For further information phone Ayesha Gottschleigh at CQU Community Relations on 0749 232506.