ISTANBUL, TURKEY -- 06/25/07 --
IBM (NYSE: IBM) has contributed a new
social computing software called 'Many Eyes' for use during the OECD
(Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development) World Forum on
Measuring and Fostering the Progress of Societies, this week in Istanbul.
The innovative technology allows for the democratization of complex data by
enabling users to upload any type of data and collaborate on the analysis
of that information.
For example, Many Eyes users are currently uploading publicly available or
personally gathered data regarding local or global issues -- such as tax
rates, crime statistics, global warming, water safety, and healthcare --
and are offering opinions and insights on these topics. The information is
displayed in a dynamic, easy to understand format that allows for real-time
knowledge sharing.
IBM and OECD representatives believe that social computing software will
help people from all over the world make more informed decisions and create
a new level of civic dialogue about the issues affecting them in their
communities, their countries and at a global level.
Nick Donofrio, IBM's executive vice president, Innovation and Technology,
and a keynote speaker at the OECD World Forum, will address the issue of
collaboration on a global level. "Nations, institutions and enterprises
must work together to create a climate and culture for innovation; one that
embraces cross-border, cross-organizational and cross-disciplinary
collaboration," said Donofrio. "Innovation is more than just the
availability and accessibility of information technology; it is fostered
when information technology combines with deep insight to create new value
for business, government, academia and our global society."
"Global discussion based on solid statistics allows society to understand
its current state and provides a base from which to make progress and
innovate," said Enrico Giovannini, Director of Statistics and Chief
Statistician of OECD. "Providing OECD's 2007 Factbook data to the public
offers citizens around the world an opportunity to collectively explore,
discuss and tackle the societal challenges of our time."
IBM's Many Eyes enables users to upload and view large amounts of complex
scientific data or playful, social content. Communities of people can then
explore, discuss, and collaborate on visual content. Current data sets and
visualizations reflect a diverse range of interests, including scientific
(temperature and CO2 levels over time), political (U.S. political party
affiliation over time), global (fertility rates around the world), and
financial (venture capital investment in Europe). The addition of OECD
2007 Factbook data to Many Eyes will enable an even broader range of
discussion, as data on health, science and technology, trade, GDP, energy
use, education, and other globally relevant topics will now be available.
IBM and OECD will demonstrate the innovative technology during the
conference by providing access to the OECD 2007 Factbook information guide
to the general public. The data can be accessed by visiting
http://services.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes and searching for OECD
Factbook. The Factbook includes information on a variety of issues such as
the environment, individual country economies, and healthcare. Concerned
citizens, leaders, and institutions all over the world are invited to
upload other sources of data they think are relevant to major world issues
and to engage in debate and discussion using the technology.
The OECD World Forum (June 27-30, 2007) will bring together representatives
from public and private sectors, and developed, developing and emerging
countries for discussions on "Measuring and Fostering the Progress of
Societies" (see www.oecd.org/oecdworldforum). Key world issues, such as
changes in climate, health, and economic globalisation, are among the
topics that more than 900 ministers, parliamentarians, academicians,
business executives, and non-governmental organizations from over 100
countries will explore.
For more information on IBM, please visit www.ibm.com and for more
information on OECD, please visit www.oecd.org.
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Media Contact:
Canan Ersoy
IBM, Public Relations - Turkey
tel +90. 212.317.15.33
e-mail cananu@tr.ibm.com
Lia P. Davis
IBM, Public Relations - Government
tel 202.515.5499
e-mail lia.p.davis@us.ibm.com
OECD Media Dývision
tel + 33 14524 9700
e-mail news.contact@oecd.org
