21CW: Norbert Wiener in the 21st Century [Guest Editorial]

Abstract

The articles in this special section focus on the work and life of Dr. Norbert Wiener (1894–1964), who is considered one of the quintessential multi-disciplinarians of our time. He is considered the "Father of Cybernetics." During his life, Wiener influenced mathematics, philosophy, science, technology, ethics, biology, prosthesis, education, manufacturing, and many other fields. He was an early practitioner of diversity and social inclusion, and an advocate of social responsibility in the development of technology. He predicted the social impact of robotic, cybernetic, and other technologies on the future of society, and after several decades his writings retain their relevance.