Guest Editorial: Introduction to the Special Issue on Advances in Semantic Computing

Semantic Computing (SC) is an emerging field that addresses computing technologies allowing users to search, create and manipulate computational resources (including data, documents, tools, devices, etc.) based on semantics (“meaning”, “context”, “intention”). It includes the computing technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, natural language, software engineering, data and knowledge engineering, computer systems, signal processing, etc.), and their interactions, with an aim to extract or process computational contents and descriptions [1]. While some aspects of Semantic Computing have appeared as isolated topics in individual disciplines, the hallmark of Semantic Computing is to glue these segments together into an integrated and coherent theme with synergetic interactions. It addresses not only the analysis and transformation of signals (e.g., pixels, words) into meaningful information, but also prescribes efficient mechanisms for accessing and synthesizing such information.