The paper discusses conceptual changes observed as CA DCA M systems progress from one generation to another. The influence of representation technology on concepts and methods in CADCAM is discussed, and then the influences of communication between computers, and of knowledgebased programs are considered. Taken together, these various aspects of computer technology throw light on possible scenarios for the future working environment.
design, information transfer, communication
Weizenbaum I makes the point that in many fields of computer science researchers are intent on solving the technical details of problems, without paying sufficient thought to the questions of why these particular problems should be solved at all. Even as the details of various technical and organizational problems are being solved in engineering and industry, the CADCAM revolution 2 is changing the framework within which those problems are defined. The penetration of the computer into the processes of design and production is widely perceived as leading to fundamental changes not only in the accuracy and speed of design and production work, but also in the entire structure and environment of those processes.
Engineering design and engineering production are activities in which people have been engaged for over a century. It is only in the past few decades that these activities have been perceived as a systematic process capable of comprehension, analysis and improvement. Asimov 3 is considered to have written the first significant book in that direction. Since then many books 4and s have addressed themselves to the process of design and production, as have many papers in technical journals and conferences.
A paper or book dealing with a specific technical problem is easier to define, analyse and utilize than a paper discussing alternatives for the future. It is clear that the computer is creating basic changes in the industrial processes in our society, however. Thus, it is important that some attention be devoted to trying to find out what kinds of development lie ahead, which alternatives should be consciously chosen and pursued and how to prepare for them. This paper is written with that task in mind. Any attempt to look into the future has a probability of being in error. The future industrial society will be so different from present society that it is necessary to focus debate on that future, so that it will be as much as possible the product of debate and discussion and not of default.