Autonomic Computing: The IBM [Research] Perspective on the State of Information Technology

"The information technology boom can only explode for so long before it collapses on itself in a jumble of wires, buttons and knobs. IBM knows that increasing processor might, storage capacity and network connectivity must report to some kind of systemic authority if we expect to take advantage of its potential. The human body's self-regulating nervous system presents an excellent model for creating the next generation of computing, autonomic computing. "

There are many others also working on autonomic computing, but IBM has neatly summarized the field in a handy list of eight important goals.

IBM's Manifesto on Autonomic Computing