VORTRAG ******* Oesterreichisches Forschungsinstitut fuer Artificial Intelligence(OeFAI) Schottengasse 3, A-1010 Wien Tel.: +43-1-53361120, Fax: +43-1-5336112-77, Email: sec@oefai.at ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. M.V. (Pek) van Andel Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands SERENDIPITY: THE GIFT OF MAKING UNSOUGHT FINDINGS 'Accidental' Discoveries, Inventions and Creations in Science, Technique and Art. About the Origin, History, Domains, Traditions, Appearances, Patterns and Programmability of Serendipity 'Nothing is accidental, and what seems to us accident is only an unknown fact whose explanation may furnish the occasion for a more or less important discovery.' (Cl. Bernard, 1865) Serendipity is a surprising observation followed by a correct explanation. My collection of serendipitous discoveries, inventions and creations in science, technique and art is, as far as known, the largest in the world. In the 'chaos' of these serendipities I found a 'order' of thirty serendipity patterns, which gives a new perspective on the old subject of serendipity. Knowledge of these serendipity patterns helps in finding also the unsought and in expecting even the unexpected. 'Je planmaessiger die Menschen vorgehen, desto wirksamer trifft sie der Zufall.' (F. Duerrenmatt, 1962). Zeit: Dienstag, 21. Mai 2002, 18:30 Uhr pktl. (bis 19:15 + Discussion) Ort: Oesterreichisches Forschungsinstitut fuer Artificial Intelligence Schottengasse 3, 1010 Wien. OESTERREICHISCHES FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUER ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE o.Univ.-Prof. Dr. Robert Trappl