Some argue that the term “computational intelligence” is a misnomer because computing machines can only process data and cannot process information that has semantic meaning. This is a mistake.
Data becomes information when it satisfies a need. Any system, organic or synthetic, that has no needs will process only data. Give that system needs and the same data it processes becomes information for it.
What transforms data into information are the needs of a system, not its construction.
Here is a story about this:
Albert, a municipal clerk living in Baton-Rouge, had three pets: a cat, a rabbit and a robotic vacuum cleaner that regularly plugged itself in available electrical outlets to recharge.
Returning from work, Albert bought a bunch of carrots and some other groceries. Entering his apartment he said: “Hello my pets!” Then, as the three pets watched, Albert dropped the bag of groceries in front of the kitchen’s electrical outlet, took out the bunch of carrots out and placed it on the counter. All three saw this. Two with their eyes, one with its camera.
“There is more food in the kitchen, this is useful information” thought the rabbit.
“I lost a source of energy, this is useful information” computed the robot.
The cat yawned and returns to his couch. “No information here, he reflected.”
Same data different information.
