Abstract
After pointing out the numerous effects of the digital switchover and the widespread ignorance of its causes, I presented my vision in the form of a conjunction of four points:
- The idea of homogenously digitizing all kinds of data and phenomena.
- The fantastic progress of the information machine, made up of circuits and software.
- The science and technology of its use.
- The existence of a space for unbridled innovation.
The idea of systematic digitization was born in the 1950s, with Shannon's fundamental contribution defining its meaning and limits. Digitization frees us from the age-old dependence of information on its medium: paper for writing, vinyl records for sound, silver film for images and so on. Once digitized, all information takes the unique form of a sequence of numbers. Two types of algorithm can then be applied to it, which can be combined with total freedom:
- generic, content-independent algorithms for storing, copying, (weakly) compressing, encrypting and transporting information without any loss, which is impossible with conventional analog representations.
- algorithms specific to a given type of data: strong compression and enhancement of images and sounds, text search, search for optimal paths in graphs, geometric algorithms in robotics or medical imaging, scientific computing algorithms - the list is endless.
The ability to apply these algorithms effectively at low cost is based on exponential progress in electronic circuitry and scientific advances in circuit design and software development. Rather than the term "computer", which too accurately evokes the use of a keyboard and screen, I use the general term "information machine". Indeed, most circuits and software are now embedded in objects of all kinds, invisibly to the user.
