Group LearningGroup Learning

By Philip Sterne

Supervisor : Shaun Bangay

Neural Networks: sharing information

Group LearningGroup Learning

Create virtual Creatures™.Give them the ability to learn

through Neural Networks.Place them in Stressful

environments.Group Learning vs.

Individual Learning

Artificial Life:Artificial Life:

Moves around and explores its environment.

Communicates with other creatures.

Has needs,

eg – Hunger, thirst

Dies if those needs are not met.

Neural NetworksNeural Networks

Attempt to model the brain.Just like the brain:

– Need to be trained.– Can learn new things.– Can forget old things.

Perform parallel computations.

Neural NetworksNeural Networks

Jargon:Inputs (perceptions)

PerceptronsNeuronsPathwaysOutputs

Stressful EnvironmentsStressful EnvironmentsPredators

– Detection.– Evasion.– Warn others. (?)– Remove slow learners.

Scarce Food– Forces exploration.– Encourages Cooperation (?)

Group vs. Individual LearningGroup vs. Individual Learning

Heart of my Project.In real life:

– People learn from other people.– “Birds of a feather flock together”

In Neural nets:– “Bad” nets are replaced with “Good” nets, but

only after death.– No real interaction.

Group LearningGroup Learning

Enable communication.– Pass knowledge (weightings)– Speak to each other.

Ensure diversity.– Only “like-minded” nets sharing weightings.

At Present:At Present:

Neural networks simulate individual learning.

No research (yet) on cooperative learning.Focused on

– more accurate simulation of the brain. E.g. – Biochemical.

– Genetic encoding.

Comparisons:Comparisons:

Speed of Learning.Population Dynamics.Cooperation.Communication.End result.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Create Neural Networks.Simulate social learningWill Language develop?Will there be cooperation?Will social learning be faster than in a

group of individuals?