Active Intelligence: chapter 1, as new ways to learn.

The time machine is active today, promoting a post I wrote in 2019: "Active Intelligence Systems will take care of our Well-being" https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/active-intelligence-systems-take-care-our-well-being-pietro-leo/

During the 2018-19 period, I delved into a concept I named "Active Intelligence," positioning it as the next trajectory for Artificial Intelligence.

My main motivation at that time was the anticipation of entering a new territory I termed "decision lakes." What are decision lakes? They are akin to what Big Data did with data. In simpler terms, AI and its counterparts assist us in decision-making across various contexts and applications, while simultaneously exposing us to a broader space for seeking solutions. This includes decisions that may be challenging to discern without artificial assistance.

Today, a notable example of Active Intelligence in action came across my LinkedIn feed: "studyfetch" https://www.studyfetch.com/. It aligns with my concept, illustrating how Active Intelligence can be applied to learning.

Studyfetch acts as a student co-pilot or companion, actively collaborating with students. It allows them to create notes from course materials, generate flashcards with key concepts, produce quizzes for practicing knowledge, and interact with a chatbot serving as a tutor to answer questions about the provided material. The platform supports various formats for lectures, including traditional materials like PDF and PowerPoint or recording live sessions with professors.

Returning to my original post and thoughts, we find ourselves in a dynamic technological landscape undergoing a groundbreaking paradigm shift. Over the past two decades, our perception of technology has evolved from viewing computers as mere tools to recognizing them as pivotal elements in a data-driven society.

The emergence of Big Data, IoT, Cloud, Mobile, and Analytics laid the foundation for what some refer to as the "new oil" – digital data. As we explored the potential of this data, the era of Artificial Intelligence unfolded, bringing forth concepts like Cognitive Computing, Augmented Intelligence, and Smart Machines.

The focus shifted from managing extensive data archives to transforming data points into decision points. "Powered by AI" became the rallying cry, signifying a fundamental shift towards machines actively assisting and guiding decision-making processes. The new horizon now involves "AI plus some (business) else."

The shift towards Active Intelligent Systems signifies a departure from designing computers as tools to solve specific problems. We are entering an era where entirely new products and systems are conceived, actively creating demands and markets.

As this trajectory gains momentum, the management of trust and ethics becomes crucial. The interplay of technologies driving digital disruptions requires a thoughtful and ethical approach to ensure that Active Intelligent Systems effectively serve humanity.

In conclusion, the computing evolution stands at a crossroads. The emergence of Active Intelligent Systems marks a paradigm shift beyond conventional technological boundaries. We are not merely witnessing the evolution of tools; we are witnessing the birth of entirely new products, systems, and markets, ushering in an era where machines actively shape our digital landscape. Welcome (again) to the era of Active Intelligence.

Pietro Leo is an Executive Architect in IBM Italy, a well-known Innovation Agitator and free thinker. Member of the IBM Open Innovation Community (former IBM Academy of Technology) and Head of IBM Italy Center of Advanced Studies. You can also follow him on Twitter (@pieroleo).

My blog posts on are also on my Personal Site: https://pieroleo.com