In recent years AI has been experiencing a deep internal debate on the appropriateness of the symbolic-based paradigm and all of its consequences. While various symbolic representation schemes, as well as their integration, have been proposed, their limitations have continuously pushed researchers for improved versions or entirely new ones. New viewpoints such as the complex dynamic-based approach with neural nets can be regarded simply as new problem solving techniques with specific properties.Under this perspective, what seems to be important is the ability to combine heterogeneous representation and problem-solving techniques. Research on heterogeneous, intelligent systems goes hand in hand with research on specific problem solving methods and paradigms, therefore representing their conceptual and practical glueing element. The papers contained in this proceedings are just one instance of such awareness activity in the international scientific community.

In recent years AI has been experiencing a deep internal debate on the appropriateness of the symbolic-based paradigm and all of its consequences. While various symbolic representation schemes, as well as their integration, have been proposed, their limitations have continuously pushed researchers for improved versions or entirely new ones. New viewpoints such as the complex dynamic-based approach with neural nets can be regarded simply as new problem solving techniques with specific properties.Under this perspective, what seems to be important is the ability to combine heterogeneous representation and problem-solving techniques. Research on heterogeneous, intelligent systems goes hand in hand with research on specific problem solving methods and paradigms, therefore representing their conceptual and practical glueing element. The papers contained in this proceedings are just one instance of such awareness activity in the international scientific community.