Discussion about “synthetic intelligence” in dissociated culture system

Abstract

SUMMARYThe fundamental frameworks for possessing qualia are "embodiment" and the network structures of the relationships between internal modules. We proposed "Anaplastic cognitive agent" (ACA) composed by interactions between submodules with hierarchical history functions and network structures. A dissociated culture system can discriminate several distinct spatiotemporal patterns of action potentials evoked by current inputs, and possesses kinds of history function; history properties of network dynamics, synaptic plasticity, and so on. Key words: qualia; history function; dissociated culture system; synthetic intelligence. The Brain and "Information Processing Models"We think that studies of so-called artificial intelligence are motivated not only by potential practical applications but, even more important, by the desire to understand human intellectual faculties. By creating devices performing the same functions as human intelligent information processing, we are trying to constructively understand the intellect and to find explanations of our mental functions and feelings. However, since models derived from artificial intelligence represent certain engineering values, a large number of intelligence models with accent on the engineering aspects have been proposed based on functional characteristics of the brain. It is extremely difficult to realize such biological features as creativity and adaptability to unfamiliar environments. However, since under certain conditions or within a known environment frame devices for intelligent information processing sometimes can find limited practical applications as tools, in many cases modeling of these specific features of living creatures is not necessary. In this context, many intelligence models detached from the brain have been developed. Considering that computational models influence interpretation of the data of biological and psychological experiments, applied models designed by "intentionally" detaching the brain have a practical value, but it is necessary to keep in mind that consciousness is lost. A typical example of such conditions can be found in the "dual storage model" of information processing in the field of cognitive psychology proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin (Fig. 1) [1, 2]. According to the paradigm of this model, input from the environment is stored as the temporary working memory in short-term storage. There, the information after coding, storage, retrieval, decision making, and interacting with the contents of long-term memory, is stored again in the long-term storage to be retrieved as the response to the information received from the outside world. The short-term memory, which is the central idea of this model, later was expanded as the "working memory" by addition of such subsystems as "a central executive system." The working memory by itself is independent and evokes the idea of a "little man in the brain." Background of such representation of the thought process as an information processing model can be tracked to development of computer...