Four attributes of intelligence, a thousand questions

Biol Cybern. 2023 Dec;117(6):407-409. doi: 10.1007/s00422-023-00979-4. Epub 2023 Dec 7.

Abstract

Jeff Hawkins is one of those rare individuals who speaks the languages of both AI and neuroscience. In his recent book, "A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence", Hawkins proposes that current learning algorithms lack four attributes which will be necessary for true machine intelligence. Here we demonstrate that a minimal learning system which satisfies all four points can be constructed using only simple, classical machine learning techniques. We illustrate that such a system falls short of biological intelligence in some important ways. We suggest that Hawkins' list is a useful model, but the "recipe" for true intelligence-if there is one-may not be so easily defined.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Machine intelligence; Reinforcement learning.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Brain
  • Humans
  • Intelligence
  • Machine Learning

Grants and funding