Leveraging Data and Higher-Level Programming for Knowledge Derivation

Quinn Wilton, an applied researcher, speaks on the evolution of programming languages and databases from the 1970s and 1980s, touching upon knowledge management, the datalog language, and their importance in developing complex systems. The presentation spans historical inventions like the Linotype machine, early AI language development like Micro Planner by Terry Winograd, and the growth and falls of interest in languages like Prolog. Wilton explores the significance of data and higher-level programming in current computational feats, including how Elixir and Erlang benefit from these past achievements and how the higher-level declarative approaches can facilitate more refined problem-solving in software engineering. The talk offers a deep dive into structured representations of knowledge, declarative programming, and their implications on modern software practices.