The Significance of the Human Brain’s Hierarchy Organization and Parallel Processing Techniques in AI
The human brain is a highly complex organ known for its intricate and sophisticated systems. It is hierarchically organized, with lower-level sensory processing areas sending information to higher-level cognitive and decision-making regions. This hierarchy allows for the integration of knowledge and complex behaviors. Additionally, the brain processes information in parallel, with different regions and networks simultaneously working on various aspects of perception, cognition, and motor control. This parallel processing contributes to its efficiency and adaptability.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have explored the possibility of adapting these hierarchy organization and parallel processing techniques in deep learning. Their field of study is known as Neural networks, and they have developed a type of encoding called Neural Developmental Program (NDP).
The researchers were inspired by biological processes that involve mapping a compact genotype to a larger phenotype, resulting in indirect encoding methods. In indirect encoding, the solution description is compressed, allowing for information reuse and the inclusion of more components in the final solution. However, further development is required, particularly within the indirect encoding family.
The NDP architecture consists of a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and a Graph Cellular Automata (GNCA). The GNCA updates the node embeddings after each message passing step during the developmental phase. Cellular automata are mathematical models that evolve over discrete time steps based on a set of rules. This architecture allows the NDP to operate on any neural network of arbitrary size or architecture, providing an advantage in solving reinforcement learning and classification tasks and exhibiting topological properties.
The researchers also evaluated the differentiable NDP by comparing trained and tested models on different numbers of growth steps. They found that the network’s performance decreased after a certain number of growth steps because the new modes of the network became larger. They suggest the need for an automated method to determine when to stop growing the steps, which would be a valuable addition to the NDP. Additionally, they plan to include activity-dependent and reward-modulated growth and adaptation techniques for the NDP in the future.
In conclusion, the human brain’s hierarchy organization and parallel processing techniques have significant implications for AI. The development of Neural Developmental Programs (NDPs) allows for the adaptation of these techniques in deep learning. The NDP architecture, consisting of a Multilayer Perceptron and Graph Cellular Automata, offers advantages in solving various tasks and exhibits topological properties. However, further research is needed to optimize and enhance the NDP.