Collective Intelligence Systems

Accelerating growth of scientific knowledge, technological advances, and their convergence makes it increasingly difficult for scientists, politicians, and the public to keep track of such changes and make informed decisions. Collective intelligence systems provide an alternative to relational databases, email networks, conventional websites, and social media. There are several definitions for “collective intelligence” and its applications. I define collective intelligence as an emergent property from synergies among three elements: (1) data/information/knowledge, (2) software/hardware, and (3) experts and others with insight that continually learns from feedback to produce just-in-time knowledge for better decisions than any of these elements acting alone. In addition to a brief overview of collective intelligence systems and why they are needed, this article will explain how The Millennium Project (MP) is creating its own collective intelligence system and how it can help scientists, politicians, and the public better understand change and participate in building and improving collective intelligence for S&T convergence.