KonzeptioNerd

Feldafinger Kreis

The Feldafinger Kreis is a group of researchers and industry representatives who aim to intensify the dialog between science and business / development and to inspire and lead internet research in Germany. Founded in 2001, experts from Deutsche Telekom, TU München, INI-GraphicsNet Stiftung, BMW Group, Deutsche Post AG, SAP AG, ETH Zürich, Universität Freiburg, Siemens AG, IDS Scheer, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz, Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung and Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie get together (irregularly) and publish reports (2005, 2008) on trends, technologies and applications for internet and society.

The 2008 trend report just appeared (Forschen für die Internet-Gesellschaft: Trends, Technologien, Anwendungen, download 1.5MB in German). It identifies 15 Trends:

1. The Future Internet will be a global, reliable platform for all services.
2. Peer-to-peer networking facilitates information exchange without a central entity.
3. Software will be a part of almost every product.
4. Security will be a prerequisite for the acceptance of services.
5. Semantic technolgies turn information into knowledge.
6. Consistent knowledge management is the basis for successful businesses.
7. Intelligent software-agents take over routine tasks.
8. Service grids form the Internet of Things.
9. ICT provides energy efficiency and guarantees uninterrupted service.
10. Self-organization reduces complexity and increases realiability.
11. E-processes increase competitiveness through internet-based business processes.
12. The Internet of Things enables information exchange among objects.
13. New assisted driving systems provide pro-active security.
14. Networked, digital environments supoprt people in all situations.
15. Intuitive interfaces will make the internet easier to use for everyone.

60-page report contains short analyses of the 15 fields it touches, explains buzzwords and plots relevant applications in fields of research in a 4×4 map (maturity versus competitive position) for Germany. Quite interesting - although on virtually every map, the applications are spread all over. I kind of miss an explict analysis of Germany’s specific position.

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