Cognitive informatics is an interdisciplinary endeavor that uses computing and information technology to study the nature of the mind. This area is important because it elucidates the computational nature of human cognition, which has both intrinsic scientific value but also benefits our ability to educate and assist people. Cognitive informatics also reveals principles for constructing synthetic intelligent systems, which have growing roles in defense, science, entertainment, and educational technology.

The Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Cognitive Adaptive Systems (CIRCAS) takes advantage of Arizona State University's existing intellectual resources and its plans for future growth, drawing especially on its support for interdisciplinary work. The Center includes faculty, staff, and students from Computing and Informatics, Education, Arts, Media, and Engineering, and Education, as well as members at other locations.

This Web site provides information about the Center, including the people involved in CIRCAS, the research they are pursuing, ASU courses related to cognitive informatics, and the CIRCAS colloquium series. I hope you find its contents interesting and useful.

Pat Langley, Director
Center for Interdisciplinary Research
   on Cognitive Adaptive Systems
School of Computing and Informatics
Arizona State University