The Diversity of AI

diversity of AI activities is manifested not only by papers and articles reflecting different projects and perspectives, but also in direct interactions between members of the AI community in conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and competitions. This issue of AI Magazine showcases the diversity of AI activities by accompanying its articles with an extensive set of reports on conferences and workshops, as well as with two special features. The first feature is a special section of competition reports, edited by Sven Koenig and Robert Morris. In this issue the section highlights results from three competitions: the Seventh International Planning Competition, the International SAT Solver Competitions, and the Trading Agent Competition. Recurring competitions play an important role in the progress of many AI areas, and Koenig and Morris hope to make coverage of such competitions — including how the competitions illuminate the state of the art — an ongoing section in AI Magazine. I thank them for initiating this exciting feature and encourage future submissions. Please see the solicitation and guidelines included in this issue on page 10. The second feature is the first appearance of a new AI Magazine column, “Worldwide AI,” edited by Maria Fox, Eric Horvitz, and Manuela Veloso. As the editors describe in their opening editorial, “Worldwide AI” will showcase major trends, projects, and results from around the world. In this issue, the column presents AI trends in India and South Africa. I thank the editors for spearheading this project and am delighted to have “Worldwide AI” a new part of the magazine, and I encourage submissions to this column as well. I hope that you enjoy these features and the columns to come!