Illinois Genetic Algorithms Laboratory

Over the last few weeks Xavier Llora has been posting on an ongoing experiment in consumer marketing using the DISCUS (Distributed Innovation and Scalable Collaboration in Uncertain Settings) system (see posts and pictures here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here). The DISCUS project is a collaborative system that uses genetic algorithms and chance discovery (see my 8 Feb post here on chance discovery) to bring together individuals in disparate locations with differing abilities to articulate a problem or problem solution.

The series is noteworthy from a blogging perspective, because it represents the first time IlliGAL Blogging has covered ongoing lab research in real time.

The experiments were noteworthy, because they helped demonstrate the effectiveness of DISCUS technology in augmenting marketing focus groups. As we analyze the data, tech reports and papers will be written and published, but we already know that the results were important enough to keep working toward testing in the marketplace.

Publications and presentations on DISCUS are available here.