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\F0\CArtificial Intelligence Laboratory
\CComputer Science Department
\CStanford University
\CStanford, California 94305
\CSeptember 5, 1973
\F1



Dear

\JYour research assistantship in the Computer  Science Department is in
the  Stanford  Artificial  Intelligence Laboratory.    Here  are some
facts about the Laboratory:\.

\J1.    The  Laboratory carries  out  basic  unclassified  research  in
Artificial  Intelligence,  mathematical  theory  of computation,  and
certain other areas of computer science.\.

\J2.    Topics  of  current  activity   include  vision  (locating  and
describing  objects in  pictures coming into  the computer  through a
television camera); manipulation (controlling an arm to  move objects
and to  construct objects out  of parts); representation  theory (how
to represent  in the memory of the computer general information about
a present  situation  and  the laws  that  determine the  effects  of
actions);  programs for  checking proofs of assertions about computer
programs;  programs   for   proving   theorems   in   logic;   speech
recognition;  the study  of human  higher  mental functions  (Colby);
natural  language  translation; and  others.\.

\J3.   Besides  these basic  research activities,  there is  supporting
work  in time-sharing systems programming, programming  languages  and
design automation.\.

\J4.   The main source  of support for  the Laboratory is  the Advanced
Research  Projects  Agency  (ARPA)  of  the  Department  of  Defense.
Additional support for  some projects is provided  by NSF, NASA,  and
the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH).\.

\J5.  The  Director of the  Laboratory is Professor John  McCarthy, who
is  also Principal  Investigator  of the  ARPA  contract.   Professor
Jerome Feldman  and Dr. Arthur Samuel are  associate directors of the
Laboratory.  Mr.   Lester Earnest is  Executive Officer. Dr.  Kenneth
Colby is  Principal Investigator of  the work sponsored by  the NIMH.
Mr.  Jerry Jobe  is  the Business  Manager. Other  faculty associated
with the  Laboratory include Professors  Cordell Green, Roger  Schank
(Linguistics) (on  leave 1973) and John Chowning  (Music).  There are
also  a  number  of   post-doctoral  Research  Associates   directing
research efforts.\.

\J6.  There is not space for  the  Laboratory  near  the  rest  of  the 
Computer Science Department.  The Lab is  located at 1600 Arastradero
Road  about five  miles from  the main  campus. Transportation  is by
car, except for hardy souls  who bicycle.  In compensation for  this,
once  you get  here, you  will find  the Lab  is in  a very  pleasant
place.\.

\J7.   The Lab computer  system includes  PDP-10 and PDP-6  processors,
256K  words  of  core, about  sixty  keyboard and display  terminals,
television cameras,  arms,  a remotely controlled  vehicle,  a  Xerox
graphics printer,  and  much  other  equipment for  real time work.  The
computer is used exclusively in a time-sharing mode of operation.\.

\J8.  The main  programming languages used are LISP, and an associative
ALGOL(SAIL), and  the FAIL assembly language  for the PDP-10.  
Micro-planner and several others are also available.\.

\J9.   The documentation situation  for a  new user of  the Lab is  not
very  well organized (some  people would  put it more  strongly). The
main documents required are:\.
\←L\→X\←=400;\→L\←R\-=200;\→R\J
Monitor Manual Chapter I - Console Commands. [In preparation]

An editor manual, describing how to create and edit files
containing programs, data and documents. [On-line]

A language manual for some language. [On-line or in preparation]\.
\←X\→L\←R\+=200;\→R

\JThe documentation  that does  exist is  available on-line in
our  system.  The  more important manuals  get published,  but we run
out after  a while. There  are numerous  memos describing  individual
useful programs such as the hand-eye system.

10.   An  informal  orientation course,    explaining the  laboratory
facilities  will be held during  the first week of  the quarter.  The
first meeting will be  at 8 pm,  Monday,  September 24,  at the A. I.
Laboratory conference  room.   If you  are unable  to attend  at that
time   call  Ralph   Gorin  (321-2300   x4971)  to   make  alternative
arrangements.

Certain documents explaining  the system are  in preparation.
Hopefully, they will  be available  by the  time you  arrive.  Please
contact Ralph Gorin before September 24 to get a copy of  whatever we
have for you and any other information you may want.\.



Sincerely yours,



John McCarthy
Director, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
Professor of Computer Science