
A neural dynamic intentional agent
- Prof. Dr. Gregor Schöner
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- September 4, 2024
How situated, embodied agents may achieve goals using knowledge is a central challenge for a neural theory of natural and artificial intelligence. A new paper by Jan Tekülve and Gregor Schöner borrows terms from Searle’s analysis of intentionality to structure a neural dynamic architecture that illustrates a possible route to such a theory. Intentional states are instantiated by neural activation patterns that are stabilized by neural interaction. Their dynamic instabilities enable the autonomous generation of sequences of intentional states. In a toy demonstration, an intentional agent is grounded in perception and action and generates memories and action plans. It autonomously learns beliefs that it activates to achieve desired outcomes.
The Institut für Neuroinformatik (INI) is a interdisciplinary research unit of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. We aim to understand fundamental principles that characterize how organisms generate behavior and cognition while linked to their environments through sensory and effector systems. Inspired by insights into natural cognitive systems, we seek new solutions to problems of information processing in artificial cognitive systems. We draw from a variety of disciplines that include experimental approaches from psychology and neurophysiology, theoretical approaches from physics, mathematics, and computer science, including, in particular, machine learning, artificial intelligence, autonomous robotics, and computer vision.
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