During the twentieth century, a number of thinkers - including Kurt Gödel, von Neumann, and Alan Turing - brought the breadth and depth of vision needed to make a number of key breakthroughs. This was particularly true in the areas of computational science, mathematics, physics, and developmental biology. Important accompanying developments were the building of the first computers; the subsequent use of these computers to simulate human intelligence, the use of mathematics to clarify the limitations and potential of computing machines; the engagement at theoretical and practical levels with simulating and understanding intelligent thought; the modelling of complex processes in nature which appeared to transcend mechanical computation; and the development of a better understanding of how information is created and hidden in the real world.

June 23, 2012 marks the centenary of the birth of Alan Turing. Alan Turing is arguably the most famous computer scientist of all times. The Turing Centenary Conference will be held in Manchester on June 22-25, 2012, hosted by The University in Manchester, where Turing worked in 1948-1954. The main theme of the conference is Alan Turing’s Centenary. It has the following aims:

• to celebrate the life and research of Alan Turing;
• to bring together the most distinguished scientists, to understand and analyse the history and development of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence;

The conference includes two special public lectures (90 minutes each), 16 lectures (60 minutes each) by invited speakers, including lectures presenting the work of Alan Turing, one dinner lecture, three panel discussions (one per day), the presentation of awards to the research competition winners and short presentations from the selected research competition winners.

In addition, the Conference will include the following events

• a computer chess event;
• a poster session;
• the best paper award ceremony;
• a competition of computer programs proving theorems.