IEEE Computational Intelligence Society

The IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS) is a global community with over 8,500 members. It is dedicated to the advancement of computational intelligence (CI), which includes techniques such as neural networks, fuzzy systems, evolutionary computation, and other biologically and linguistically inspired computing paradigms. The Society focuses on technical activities, publications, education, and engagement with industry and government.

CIS is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility in all its activities, as well as maintaining integrity, quality, and transparency. It supports its members by offering various programs, including research grants, travel grants, webinars, and summer schools. The Society also provides mentorship programs and resources through its educational portal and a dedicated resource centre. The goal is to encourage both students and professionals to develop and advance their knowledge in computational intelligence.

CIS is structured into various committees, such as the Technical Activities Committee, Membership Activities Committee, and Industrial and Governmental Activities Committee. The Technical Committees focus on different aspects of CI, including neural networks, fuzzy systems, evolutionary computation, bioinformatics, and smart world applications. Task Forces within these committees aim to address specific areas of CI. Recently, CIS has also introduced a new Technical Committee focused on the ethical, legal, and social dimensions of AI.

The Society is also responsible for organising several major conferences every year, including the IEEE World Congress on Computational Intelligence (WCCI), IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC), and IEEE International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (FUZZ-IEEE). CIS offers resources and tools to help volunteers organise these conferences, such as the CIS CO-Tool.

IEEE CIS recognises that awards play a significant role in recognising contributions to the field. Notable awards include the IEEE Frank Rosenblatt Award, Neural Network Pioneer Award, Fuzzy Systems Pioneer Award, and Evolutionary Computation Pioneer Award. These awards recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to computational intelligence research and development.

The IEEE CIS continues to advance the field of computational intelligence while promoting a supportive community for researchers and practitioners. Its vision includes addressing global challenges through CI and shaping the future of this evolving field.

The IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS) originated from the IEEE Neural Networks Council, which was established in 1987. Its primary focus was on promoting research and development in neural networks, which was one of the key computational paradigms of the time. 

In 2001, the organisation expanded its focus beyond neural networks, recognising the importance of other computational paradigms such as fuzzy systems and evolutionary computation. To reflect this broader scope, the IEEE Neural Networks Council was renamed the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS) in 2004.

Over the years, CIS has developed a strong foundation in three main areas: neural networks, fuzzy systems, and evolutionary computation. These areas continue to be the core of the society’s research focus, but CIS has also embraced emerging technologies such as artificial life, cognitive systems, and bioinformatics.

One significant event in CIS history was the introduction of the IEEE World Congress on Computational Intelligence (WCCI) in 1994. This event became a major global platform for researchers and professionals in computational intelligence to present their work. WCCI is held every two years and combines three flagship conferences: the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks (IJCNN), the IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC), and the IEEE International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (FUZZ-IEEE). These conferences remain central to the Society's activities.

CIS expanded its scope further in 2019 when it launched the IEEE Technical Challenge, a competition aimed at promoting the development of solutions to real-world problems using computational intelligence techniques. Another notable development in 2020 was the introduction of a new Technical Committee on the Ethical, Legal, Social, Environmental, and Human Dimensions of AI (SHIELD), reflecting CIS’s commitment to addressing the societal implications of AI.

In 2021, the society established the Industrial and Governmental Activities Committee (I&GA), which marked a strategic shift toward engaging with industry and government. This was aimed at ensuring that CIS’s research and developments would have practical applications in the real world.

CIS has also focused on expanding its reach by promoting diversity and inclusion within the organisation. Initiatives like the Breaking Boundaries programme, which was launched in 2023, aim to bring more researchers from underrepresented regions like Africa, South Asia, and South America into the fold.

As of 2024, CIS continues to focus on advancing computational intelligence research through its conferences, journals, and technical committees. It is also actively working on fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, with a focus on addressing global challenges through the use of computational intelligence technologies. The Society's flagship journals, such as IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, and IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation, maintain high standards and continue to lead in the field. CIS remains a global leader in computational intelligence, with a growing membership of over 8,500 individuals from around the world.

The goals and purpose of the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS) revolve around advancing the field of computational intelligence (CI) and supporting its members in both professional growth and research.

The primary purpose of CIS is to promote research and development in key areas of CI, including neural networks, fuzzy systems, evolutionary computation, and other biologically and linguistically inspired computational paradigms. CIS serves as a platform for researchers, practitioners, and students to share their knowledge, collaborate on projects, and advance the understanding of CI technologies.

One of the key goals is to provide a supportive community for its members. CIS encourages diversity, inclusion, and accessibility across all its activities. It aims to ensure that members from different regions, backgrounds, and career stages have opportunities to participate and contribute to the society’s mission.

Another important goal is maintaining high standards of quality in research and publications. CIS’s flagship journals, including IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, and IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation, are known for their rigorous review processes and contribute to the advancement of CI. The Society also strives to maintain the quality of its conferences, such as WCCI, CEC, FUZZ-IEEE, and IJCNN.

CIS also aims to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government. The establishment of the Industrial and Governmental Activities Committee (I&GA) in 2021 was a significant step in this direction, helping to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical applications of CI technologies in the real world.

A further goal is to address global challenges through computational intelligence. CIS recognises the importance of ethical and responsible AI and is committed to exploring the social, legal, and environmental impacts of CI through initiatives like the SHIELD Technical Committee, launched in 2020.

The impact of the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS) is significant in advancing the field of computational intelligence (CI) and supporting its practical applications across different industries. CIS has played a key role in promoting research in areas like neural networks, fuzzy systems, evolutionary computation, and other biologically inspired computing methods.

CIS has a major influence on education and research by providing resources like journals, conferences, and mentorship programmes. Its flagship conferences, such as the IEEE World Congress on Computational Intelligence (WCCI), bring together global experts to share knowledge and collaborate. This has contributed to the development of new CI technologies and solutions to real-world challenges.

The Society also impacts ethical and responsible AI development through its initiatives, such as the SHIELD Technical Committee, which addresses the societal, legal, and environmental dimensions of AI. Furthermore, CIS supports students and early-career professionals through grants, scholarships, and educational resources, helping to nurture the next generation of CI researchers.

In industry, CIS fosters collaboration with businesses and governments to ensure that CI research leads to practical and impactful applications, addressing global challenges like sustainability, healthcare, and finance. This helps drive innovation and promotes the responsible use of AI technologies worldwide.