Intentional Forgetting with Intelligent Systems

This open access book challenges the conventional idea of organizational learning by emphasizing the importance of intentional forgetting alongside information retention. It explores how intentional forgetting can free up cognitive, organizational, and technological resources, enabling organizations to adapt effectively to changing environments and remain resilient in the face of challenges. This shift in perspective highlights intentional forgetting as a crucial aspect of developing dynamic capabilities and coping with the ever-growing volume of stored information in modern organizations. The book provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the most recent research in intentional forgetting with joint contributions from psychology, computer science, information systems research, and engineering. These contributions cover the theory of intentional forgetting, methods, and paradigms to analyze and design intentional forgetting in organizations, as well as practical applications of intentional forgetting.

The book examines the intricate mechanisms of human and machine forgetting, particularly relevant within technical and organizational spheres. Through practical demonstrations, it showcases how established organizational theories can be leveraged to empower information systems within organizations to engage in forgetting. Furthermore, it presents interdisciplinary methodologies and pathways for organizations to effectively manage the ever-expanding volume of stored information while strategically implementing forgetting as a vital tool for optimization.

The book offers inspiration to business information scientists, computer scientists, and organizational designers, urging them to draw parallels with human memory to devise innovative solutions for effectively managing the overwhelming influx of information and data.

Jan Ole Berndt is deputy head of cognitive social simulation at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). He applies techniques from computer science, social theory, psychology, and agent technology to develop expressive agent-based social simulation models in interdisciplinary cooperations. His research interests revolve around simulation methodology, agent architectures, and applications in social media analysis, psychological experimentation, as well as group dynamics. In various projects, he and his team develop AI processes for human-centric work and health applications, for crisis management and civil security, as well as for sustainability and change to meet the great societal challenges we face such as man-made global warming, social injustices, and the management of crises in society and industry. His academic stations were the University of Bremen, the University of Trier, and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence.

Marcus Grum is a junior professor of business informatics, especially AI-based application systems at the University of Potsdam, Germany. His research focuses on the design of AI-based systems, deep learning, explainability of artificial intelligence, traceability of dynamic predictions of artificial neural networks (ANN), symbiotic knowledge management of ANN and humans, design and implementation of cognitive system architectures for ERP, and production systems. He is currently actively involved in the DFG-funded cyber-physical forgetting project and the BMBF-funded AI and process mining project. His academic stations were HWR Berlin, the Technical University Berlin, Humboldt University zu Berlin, the University of Potsdam, the University of Pretoria, the University of Stellenbosch, and the University of California Davis.

Kyra Göbel is a psychologist, postdoctoral researcher, and lecturer of the Chair of Work and Organizational Psychology at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. Her research topics revolve around cognitive functioning at work, with a focus on executive control processes such as dealing with work interruptions, distractions, or information overload in order to improve well-being, productivity and performance. Her academic stations were the University of Cambridge, the University of Queensland and the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg.

Annette Kluge is a full professor of industrial, organizational & business psychology at the Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Her research focuses on learning and forgetting as a prerequisite for changes in organizations, acquiring and maintaining skills in the context of safety management, digitization and digital assistance, human-centered AI development and HR analytics. She is actively involved in the Research Center Trustworthy AI project, together with TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen. Her academic stations were the RWTH Aachen, the University of St. Gallen and the University of Duisburg-Essen.