Jim Howe
Jim Howe worked on AI and computer-based learning at Edinburgh. With Donald Michie he founded Conversational Software in 1969 to market POP-2, a language developed by other researchers. He led the Bionics Research Laboratory from 1970 and the AI department from 1977 to 1996. His research included learning environments for schoolchildren, and his department transferred programming tools to schools. He launched the Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute in July 1983. AAAI elected him a Fellow in 1994.
- Works
- 30
- Citations
- 653
- h-index
- 14
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 14 October 2026.
Timeline
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1969–1970
AI software and a research laboratory
Howe and Donald Michie created Conversational Software in 1969 to develop and market POP-2. The language itself had been developed by Robin Popplestone and Rod Burstall. In 1970, Howe took over the Bionics Research Laboratory after Richard Gregory left for Bristol.
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1977–1996
Leading the Edinburgh AI department
Howe succeeded Bernard Meltzer as head of Edinburgh’s AI department in 1977 and held the post through 1996. Howe researched computer-based learning environments for primary and secondary school subjects, including work with children with disabilities. The department also expanded undergraduate AI teaching.
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1981
Learning tools for schools
The department licensed the Edinburgh Turtle to Jessop Microelectronics in 1981. The programmable cart made movements and paths visible for learning programming and mathematics. The department developed it as a shared effort. Peter Ross and Ken Johnson separately reimplemented Logo for Research Machines computers.
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1983–1994
An institute for AI applications
Howe launched the Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute in July 1983. Austin Tate succeeded him after its first operating year. The institute helped clients acquire knowledge-based systems skills. AAAI elected Howe a Fellow in 1994.
Sources and credits
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