Our mission is to exploit semantic technologies to address the various challenges associated with communication and collaboration at large scales. We acknowledge that these challenges include technical, social, policy and economic strands and thus our approach uses a hybrid combination of research, technology creation, exploitation, networking, dissemination, education and standardisation. In short our aim is to maintain semantics as an integral component of modern-day Information Systems leveraging the expertise and skillset of our Partners, Members and the wider semantic community.

1. 11/26/2008
The Semantic Technology
Institute International
Mission, Objectives, and
Organization
© Copyright 2007 STI - INTERNATIONAL www.sti2.org
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2. 11/26/2008
Contents
• Mission and Status
• Semantic Technologies
– Role in modern Computer Science
– Status of Developments
• Future Challenges
– Next Challenges in Research & Development
– The Role of STI International
• STI International
– Organization
– Services
– Membership Regulations
– Current Members
www.sti2.org
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3. 11/26/2008
Overview
• The mission of Semantic Technology Institute
International is to establish semantics as a core
pillar of modern computer science
• STI is an association of interested academic,
industrial and governmental institutes.
• STI provides services to facilitate research,
education, and commercialization activities
around semantic technologies beyond the
g y
boundaries of individual institutions or projects
www.sti2.org
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4. 11/26/2008
The STI Services
education,
technology transfer,
commercialization roadmapping
REALIZATION RESEARCH
STI Services
TECHNOLOGY
standardisation,
reference architectures,
testbeds, challenges
www.sti2.org 4
4

5. 11/26/2008
History and Status
• Founded in April 2007
• Legal status:
non-profit association (registered in Austria)
• Key Personnel
– Dipl. Ing. Alexander Wahler (CEO)
– Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dieter Fensel (President)
• Members (March 2008): 27
• Website: g
www.sti2.org
• Location: Amerlingstrasse 19/35
A-1060 Vienna, Austria
www.sti2.org
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6. 11/26/2008
Semantic Technologies
www.sti2.org
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7. 11/26/2008
What are Semantic Technologies?
• Semantic Technologies are about
– Formal and meaningful description of data,
g p ,
protocols, and processes
– Ontologies as explicit and shared knowledge models
• Benefits
– Meaning-preserving information processing
– Handling of Heterogeneities
– Facilitate Interoperability and Automation
• Roots in Artificial Intelligence research
• recent research and developments around the
Semantic Web
www.sti2.org
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8. 11/26/2008
Role in Future IT
• Semantic Technologies will become a pillar of
future IT Systems in order to facilitate
– Meaning-preserving information processing
– Interoperability between systems and organizations
– Hi h d
Higher degree of A t
f Automation
ti
• Suitable technical solutions need to properly deal
with the properties of Web based applications
Web-based
– Openness
– Heterogeneity
– Distributedness
Di t ib t d
– Scalability
www.sti2.org
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9. 11/26/2008
Recent Developments
dynamic Web Services Semantic Web
UDDI, WSDL, SOAP Services
OWL-S, WSMO, SAWSDL
static WWW Semantic Web
URI, HTML
URI HTML, HTTP XML, RDF,
XML RDF OWL
syntactic semantic
www.sti2.org
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10. 11/26/2008
Semantic Web Layer Cake
Status of Standardization
(W3C Recommendations)
www.sti2.org
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11. 11/26/2008
Semantic Web Technologies
• Ontology Management
– Protégé (protege.stanford.edu)
– OntoStudio (www.ontoprise.de)
– WSMO S di
Studio (www.wsmostudio.org)
( di )
– Altova SemanticWorks® (www.altova.com)
– IBM Ontology IDE (www.alphaworks.ibm.com)
– WSMT (wsmt.sourceforge.net)
• Repositories
R it i
– Sesame (www.openrdf.org)
– Oracle 11g RDF database (www.oracle.com)
– Jena (HP Labs) (jena.sourceforge.net)
– AllegroGraph (agraph.franz.com)
(agraph franz com)
– OWLIM Semantic Repository (www.ontotext.com/owlim)
– SPARQL engines (esw.w3.org/topic/SparqlImplementations)
– YARS (sw.deri.org/2004/06/yars/)
• Reasoning Engines
– Racer, FaCT, Pellet (OWL-DL) (ontoworld.org/wiki/Category:Reasoner)
– Flora 2 (F-Logic) (flora.sourceforge.net)
– IRIS (WSML) (iris-reasoner.org)
– KAON2 (OWL DL WSML)
(OWL-DL, (kaon2.semanticweb.org)
(kaon2 semanticweb org)
www.sti2.org
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12. 11/26/2008
Web 2.0
• Web 2.0 is
– interactive – user-driven – collaborative
user driven
– From Consumers to Prosumers on the Web
– New Technologies: Wikis, Blogs, Tagging
• M t d t created by users
Meta-data t db
www.sti2.org
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13. 11/26/2008
Semantic Web Services
• Aim & Approach
automate th Web Service Usage Cycle i SOA Systems by
t t the W b S i U C l in S t b
1. rich, formal annotation of Web Services
2. inference-based techniques for automated discovery,
composition, mediation, execution of Web Services
iti di ti ti fW bS i
• Overcome deficiencies of initial Web service technology
stack (WSDL SOAP UDDI) that limits the detection and
(WSDL, SOAP,
integration of Web services by clients to manual inspection
• Integration with the Semantic Web
g
– Using ontologies as underlying knowledge models
– Enable semantic interoperability
www.sti2.org
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14. 11/26/2008
SWS Approach
a) Web Service Description Structure b) Semantic Web Service Description Structure
Non-functional Functionality
Interface
Web Service Web Service
WS
Implementation Implementation
(not of interest in Web (not of interest in Web
Service Description) Service Description) WS
WS
Interface Aggregation
XML
Ontology Ontology Ontology
www.sti2.org
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15. 11/26/2008
SWS Techniques
if: successful
Request
else:
submission not solvable
matchmaking
else: try other WS uses R with all WS
Discoverer
if: composition possible
Data if: usable
Mediator
Selection & uses Composer
Ranking
Service
Repository
Process
P uses Behavioral
B h i l composition
Mediator Conformance (executable)
if: compatible
information lookup
for particular service
Executor
if: execution
error
www.sti2.org
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16. 11/26/2008
SWS Frameworks
WSMO
Degr of Automation & Interoperability
co p e e s e a e o
comprehensive framework
ree
Ease of P
for Semantic SOA
Provision and Usa
OWL-S
upper-level ontology for
describing Web services
n
&
schema WSDL Document
SAWSDL / WSDL-S mapping
Types
age
semantic annotation of model
Interface
Operation
reference
WSDL descriptions Message
Binding
g Endpoint
p
www.sti2.org
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17. 11/26/2008
Future Challenges
and the Role of
STI International
www.sti2.org
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18. 11/26/2008
State of Affairs
• There is a significant amount of research results and
technology developments on semantic technologies
gy p g
• … BUT:
– Still many open research issues
– Mostly academic solutions (not ready for the market)
– Too less commercial adaptation
– Too few killer applications
– …
• Thus, it is necessary to
– coordinate and integrate future research
– Standardize technology developments
gy p
– force industrial adaptation and exploitation
=> STI International addresses these challenges
www.sti2.org
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19. 11/26/2008
Challenge 1: Future Research
• Future Research Issues include
– Scalable reasoning techniques for the Semantic Web
– Integrated ontology engineering technologies
– Knowledge acquisition and automated semantic
g q
annotation of data and services
– Scalable and workable SWS technologies
– …
• STI International supports this by
– Defining common research roadmaps
– Coordinating cross-project working groups
www.sti2.org
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20. 11/26/2008
Challenge 2: Technology Development
• The Development of Semantic Technologies requires
– Integrated, adoptable, and extensible software architectures
I t t d d t bl d t ibl ft hit t
– Use case scenarios for testing, demonstration, and evaluation
– Platforms for demonstrating benefits to outer world
– Legal f
L l framework f IPRs and usage by third parties
k for IPR d b thi d ti
• STI International supports this by
– Providing an open-source integrated reference architecture
– Defining test-beds and challenges for testing, demonstration,
evaluation, and comparison of technology developments
, p gy p
www.sti2.org
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21. 11/26/2008
Challenge 3: Standardization &
Commercialization
• Critical Success Factors are
– St d di ti
Standardization of Technologies b renowned standardization
f T h l i by d t d di ti
bodies (W3C, OASIS, OMG)
The work in standardization bodies is usually cumbersome
=> good preparation is required
– Commercial Adaptation of semantic technologies
=> requires ready-to-market solutions and industrial cooperation
• STI International supports this by
– Coordinating standardization activities among members
– Coordinating pre-standardization work
gp
– Establishing a network and coordinate cooperation projects
with the international industry (IT vendors and Users)
www.sti2.org
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22. 11/26/2008
Challenge 4: Education & Dissemination
• The thorough adaptation of Semantic Technologies requires
– E t
Extensive di
i dissemination i research, i d t and society
i ti in h industry, d i t
– Systematic education of students, researchers, and practioneers
– Training and educational services by experts
• STI International supports this by
– Coordinating dissemination and marketing activities
– Providing educational services for students and researchers
(summer schools, tutorials, etc.)
– Providing education and training services for industry and other
interested parties (tutorials, training workshops, etc.)
– Coordinating academic education among its members
– Coordinating exchange programs for students and researchers
www.sti2.org
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23. 11/26/2008
STI International
– Organization, Services, Members –
www.sti2.org
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24. 11/26/2008
Overview
• Aim: a central institution for coordinating R&D & on
Semantic Technologies in Europe and beyond
– S
Support successful & enduring d
t f l d i development and adaption
l t d d ti
– Coordinate research, development, dissemination, standardization
– Supportive services for members
• STI is a non-profit organization run by its members
– General Assembly: elects President and Board Members
– Members: propose new activities, voting rights
– Executive Board: controls the business
– Advisory Board: independent advice
– CEO: responsible for the operational business
• Members (March 2008)
M b (M h 2008):
– Full members: 22
– Associate members: 4
– Members of Honor: 1
www.sti2.org
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25. 11/26/2008
Organigram
Executive Board
independent
Advisory advice President
Board Vice-Presidents control
Service
CEO
(= Area Coordinators) Coordinators
coordinate
elects activities
General Assembly
G lA bl
(1 representative per member)
Associate &
Full Members Extraordinary Members
(no voting rights)
www.sti2.org
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26. 11/26/2008
The Executive Board
Dr. Michael Brodie Dr. John Davies Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dieter Fensel Prof. Dr. John Domingue
Chair Advisory Vice President Vice President Presidet
Board Realization Strategic Affairs
S ff
Prof. Dr. Guus Schreiber Prof. Dr. Rudi Studer Alexander Wahler Univ.-Prof. Hannes Werthner
Vice President Vice President CEO Vice President
Technology Research Members
www.sti2.org
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27. 11/26/2008
The Advisory Board
Dr. Michael Brodie Dr. Richard Benjamins
Dr. Mark Greaves
Verizon, US Telefónica R+D
Vulcan Inc., US
Vice President Advisory Board Member
Advisory Board Member
y
Chair Advisory B d
Ch i Ad i Board
www.sti2.org
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28. 11/26/2008
The Extended Board
Witold Abramowicz Prof. Dr. Fabio Ciravegna Oscar Corcho Mathieu Daquin
Dr. Emanuele Della Valle Prof. Dr. Asunción
The Poznan University University of Sheffield, UK Universidad Politécnica de Knowledge Media Institute,
CEFRIEL, IT Gómez-Pérez
of Econimics, PL Roadmaps Madrid,ES Open University, UK
Testbeds and Challenges Universidad Politécnica
Strategic Development & Service Coordinator Testbeds and Challenges Realisation
Service Coordinator de Madrid, ES
Internationalisation Service Coordinator Service Coordinator
g
Testbeds and Challenges
Service Coordinator
Service Coordinator
Marko Grobernik Barry Norton Dr. Raphael Volz Dr. Michal Zaremba
Peter Mika Dr. Elena Simperl
J. Stefan Institute, SI Knowledge Media Institute Raphael Volz Innovation University of Innsbruck, AT
Yahoo Research, ES University of Innsbruck, AT
Dep. of Knowledge Technologies Open University, UK Consulting GmbH, DE Standardization and Reference
Testbeds and Challenges Education
Future Internet Initiative Task Force Standardization and Reference Roadmaps Architecture Service Coordinator
Service Coordinator Service Coordinator
Service Coordinator Architecture Service Coordinator Service Coordinator
www.sti2.org
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29. 11/26/2008
STI Services
STI addresses the emerging challenges for the
future research & development b
f t h d l t by:
– Definition of Research Roadmaps
– Common Strategy and Coordination for Standardization
gy
– Provision of open-source Reference Architectures
– Provision of open Test Beds and Challenges
– Joint program for Education in semantic technologies
– Support & Coordination of Industrial Commercialization
– Coordination of Cross-Project Working Groups
– Coordination & Auxiliary Services for members and
associated R&D projects
www.sti2.org
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30. 11/26/2008
The STI Service Cycle
education,
technology transfer,
commercialization roadmapping
REALIZATION RESEARCH
STI Services
TECHNOLOGY
standardisation,
reference architectures,
testbeds, challenges
www.sti2.org
30

31. 11/26/2008
STI Research - Roadmapping
• STI International will create, maintain,
and publish roadmaps as a means of
d bli h d f
planning and coordinating its activities Prof. Dr. Fabio Ciravegna
towards the achievement of the mission. University of Sheffield, UK
Service Coordinator
• The service will focus on the five main
areas of research in the field of semantic
systems and services:
y
– Ontologies and Ontology Engineering
Dr. Raphael Volz
– Reasoning Raphael Volz Innovation
Consulting GmbH, DE
– Knowledge Acquisition and Sharing Service Coordinator
– Semantic Web Services
– Social Networks
www.sti2.org
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32. 11/26/2008
STI Technology – Standardization and
Reference Architectures
• STI International will provide
1.
1 Support and coordination services for
technology standardization Dr. Michal Zaremba
University of Innsbruck, AT
2. Development of Reference Architectures Service Coordinator
for semantic technologies
• The aim is to
– Establish a communication channel with
W3C, OASIS and OMG
– Provide a open, integrated, and Barry Norton
extensible software architecture for Knowledge Media Institute
Open University, UK
semantic technology developments Service Coordinator
– F ilit ti communication across the
Facilitating i ti th
various projects and initiatives
– Gaining leverage and impact by
combining efforts
g
www.sti2.org
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33. 11/26/2008
STI Technology – Testbeds and Challenges
• STI International will facilitate the joint
development of open, globally di t ib t d
d l t f l b ll distributed
testbeds for developing, deploying and Dr. Emanuele Della Valle
CEFRIEL, Politecnico di Milano, I
Service Coordinator
testing Semantic Web technologies and
Semantic Web Services at global scale
S ti W b S i t l b l l
Prof- Dr. Asunción Gómez-Pérez
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, ES
Service Coordinator
• Challenges will offer participants the Oscar Corcho
possibility to show the best of Semantic Universidad Politécnica de Madrid,ES
Service Coordinator
Web and Semantic Web Services
technologies in order to identify Barry N t
B Norton
Knowledge Media Institute
promising approaches and to support Open University, UK
Architecture Service Coordinator
relevant developments
www.sti2.org
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34. 11/26/2008
STI Realization – Commercialization
• STI International will facilitate the commercial
exploitation of R&D results with the aim of
increasing business opportunities
Mathieu Daquin
Knowledge Media Institute,
• STI International performs, among others, the
p , g , p y,
Open University, UK
Coordinator
following commercialization activities:
– Knowledge Capitalization Structure
– Market surveillance
– Comprehensive offer building for proving the
interest of SWS and Semantic Web in general
– International position strategy
– Diffusion by consolidation of dissemination
plans and activities
www.sti2.org
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35. 11/26/2008
STI Realization – Education
• STI International will provide educational
activities in the field of semantic technologies
g
for academia and industry
Dr. Elena Simperl
• The STI educational program includes: University of Innsbruck, AT
– G
Generation of high-quality t i i materials f
ti f hi h lit training t i l for Service Coordinator
S C
specific target communities
– Development and maintenance of training
repositories and expert databases
– Organization of different types of training and
educational events
– Provision of different types of training
– Set-up of joint doctoral or exchange/internship
programs between research institutions and
between researchers and industry and
operational support for their implementation.
www.sti2.org
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36. 11/26/2008
Membership Regulations
• STI International invites organizations from all over the world
to become a contributing member
• 3 Types of Membership:
1. Full Members
• Access to STI Services (free of charge)
• Full voting rights
• Creation of new working groups & initiate other activities
• Full promotional benefits
2. Associate Members
• Limited
Li it d access t STI S i
to Services and W ki G
d Working Groups (f
(free of charge)
f h )
• No voting rights
• Limited promotional benefits
3. Extraordinary Members
y
• Member of Honor (by invitation)
• Sponsoring Member
• No voting rights
www.sti2.org
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37. 11/26/2008
Membership Fees
Membership Type Annual Fees
For-Profit Organizations
Annual Turnover Membership Fees (in €)
less than € 2 million 2.000,-
more than € 2 million 5.000,-
Full Membership
Non-Profit Organizations
Country (accord. to WB) Membership Fees (in €)
high income country 3.000,-
low/middle income country 1.000,-
Associate Membership 10% of full membership fee
Sponsoring sponsoring is agreed on a case-by-case basis with the
Membership applicants
Member of Honor free
www.sti2.org
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38. 11/26/2008
Membership Application
www.sti2.org
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39. 11/26/2008
Full Members (November, 2008)
Total: 28
www.sti2.org
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40. 11/26/2008
Associate Members (November 2008)
Dr.
Dr Michael Brodie
(Member of Honor)
Total: 11 + 1
www.sti2.org
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41. 11/26/2008
Contact Information
STI International Office
Semantic Technology I tit t International
S ti T h l Institute I t ti l
Amerlingstrasse 19/35
A-1060 Vienna
Austria
Phone: +43 (0)1 23 64 002
( )
Fax: +43 (0)1 23 64 002-99
Web: www.sti2.org
Email: office@sti2 org
office@sti2.org
ZVR Number: 183932218 (registered in Vienna, Austria)
www.sti2.org
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