The center's mission is research in the design and development of advanced information systems with capabilities for generating, sharing and interacting with knowledge in a networked environment. Participants are drawn from Columbia University's Department of Computer Science, from the University of Southern California's Information Sciences Institute.
Technical assistance is provided by experts from several Federal government agencies.
Avoiding duplicated or nonessential research, and developing shared infrastructure. Generating the attention necessary to attract future candidates for influential pilots. Guaranteeing that pilots and deployed systems are maintained and remain accessible beyond the extent of a particular grant or program. The authoring of survey instruments for collecting data, and the public dissemination or the resulting data over the Internet. Surveys are the primary means by which the government gathers information about the economy and the health and welfare of its citizens.