E.I. Denisov - Dr.Sc. (Biol.), Ph.D. (Eng.), Professor, Federal State Budgetary Institution Research Institute of Occupational Health under the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (FSBI «RIOH» RAMS). E-mail: denisov28@yandex.ru
А.L. Eryomin - Ph.D. (Med.), Kuban Medical Institute. E-mail: aeremin@yandex.ru
I.V. Stepanian - Dr.Sc. (Biol.), Ph.D. (Eng.), Federal State Budgeary named after A.A. Blagonravov Research Institute for Machine Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences. E-mail: neurocomp.pro@gmail.com
V.I. Bodyakin - Ph.D. (Phys.-Math.), Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science named after V.A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences. E-mail: body@ipu.ru

The basic characteristics of information as well as some approaches to the measurement and hygienic assessment of information load (IL) on human operator during mental work are considered. The classification of the information and its physical aspects are disclosed. The general issues of the theory of measurements are reviewed and applied aspects of the possibilities of measurements of information, intelligence and mental activity are discussed. The reference is made to the units of the information quantity (bits, bytes) and information transmission rate (bytes/s). Some results of measurement of the information amount are presented, which suggests that the average speed of information in occupations studied differs four orders of magnitude within 0.05-117.3 bytes/s. The methodological aspects of choice of the parameters and evaluation criteria for IL evaluation are considered. The assessment scales for quality of information carrier signal and speed of information flow are discussed. Some examples of provisions in the sanitary regulations for assessment of the quality of the signal carrier in specific units (cd/m2, lx, Hz etc.) are referred. The scale of levels of information flow (very low <0.1; low 0.1-1; middle 1-10; high 10-100; very high >100 bytes/s) is proposed. The formula for calculation of IL index as product of score of the quality of information carrier signal and score of speed of information flow is suggested. The general provisions of the ISO standards for methods of measurements and evaluation of mental load (ML) are disclosed. Some methods of measurement and evaluation of the ML are considered and the scale of levels of ML (emotional, intellectual, taking into account the readiness to receive the information of the human operator and its motivation) is proposed. The integrated indicator of ML at work is suggested. The strategy for design of adequate ML and optimization of «man-machine» and «man-information environment» systems is described. Some prospects of development of neuroscience, information theory and artificial intelligence are pointed out. Recent legal measures (Federal law N 174-FL) enhancing the support for research and development in intelligent systems and technologies are mentioned.