Unlocking the Secrets of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

Since the pioneering work of Alan Turing, computer scientists have aspired to create artificial general intelligence (AGI) – a system capable of thinking, learning, and acting like humans. Recent breakthroughs in machine learning have reignited the quest for AGI, begging the question: what would a generally intelligent agent be able to do, and what cognitive functions would it require?

To answer these questions, researchers are turning to the study of natural intelligence, where humans and other animals have evolved remarkable generality of function. The fields of cognitive science and neuroscience have provided a language for describing the components of natural intelligence in terms of computational mechanisms and cognitive functions, as well as their implementation in neural circuits.

Natural General Intelligence: Bridging the Gap Between Biology and AI

In “Natural General Intelligence”, Christopher Summerfield explores the algorithms and architectures driving progress in AI research, using a language that compares current AI systems and biological brains side by side. This comparative analysis delves into the deep conceptual issues surrounding how perceptual, memory, and control systems work, as well as the language of thought and the structure of human knowledge.

The book also tackles long-standing controversies about the nature of intelligence, questioning whether AI researchers should draw inspiration from biology. By providing a bridge between the theories of biological brains and the practice of building artificial intelligence, Summerfield aims to facilitate a deeper understanding between researchers from both fields.

Product details:

• Published by: Oxford University Press
• Release date: March 29, 2023
• Language: English
• Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
• ISBN-10: 0192843885
• ISBN-13: 978-0192843883