The pursuit of autonomic computing gives us a unique opportunity to define the next era of computing.
Since their conception, computers have failed to meet up to expectations nearly as often as they have exceeded them. Autonomic computing provides an opportunity to recalibrate the higher purpose of computers from one of convenience, to a tool that allows us to exploit previously un-navigable challenges.
Progressively autonomic computers will enable the tools to analyze complex problems. For instance, machines with cellular architecture, such as Blue Gene, will enable the study of phenomena occurring in fractions of a second at an atomic scale. Greater access to more computing power through grid computing combined with the implementation of open standards will enable researchers to more easily collaborate on complex problems for the global good. Autonomic computing will be able to better harness existing processing power to run complex mathematics for functions such as weather simulations and other scenarios that inform public systems and infrastructure.
The Grand Challenge of autonomic computing gives us a new horizon to reach for.
IBM is defining a path to this next era, and now looks to the scientific community to join us in making it a reality. In the following months, IBM will be working jointly with individuals and institutions to provide funding in the form of awards and fellowships to empower the technical community to meet these challenges. PROJECTS
