Papers
Hierarchy or Heterarchy? A Theory of Long-Range Connections for the Sensorimotor Brain
In the traditional understanding of the neocortex, sensory information flows up a hierarchy of regions, with each level processing increasingly complex features. Information also flows down the hierarchy via a different set of connections. Although the hierarchical model has significant support, many anatomical connections do not conform to the standard hierarchical interpretation. This paper proposes a theory explaining their function…
AUTHORS:
Charmaine Lai
PUBLICATION:
Review Paper
Thousand-Brains Systems: Sensorimotor Intelligence for Rapid, Robust Learning & Inference
In the current work, we evaluate the unique properties of Monty, the first implementation of a thousand-brains system. We focus on 3D object perception, and in particular, the combined task of object recognition and pose estimation. Utilizing the YCB dataset of household objects, we first assess Monty’s use of sensorimotor learning to build structured representations, finding that these enable robust generalization…
AUTHORS:
Charmaine Lai
PUBLICATION:
Review Paper
The Thousand Brains Project: A New Paradigm for Sensorimotor Intelligence
This paper reviews the state of artificial intelligence (AI) and the quest to create general AI with human-like cognitive capabilities. This review argues that improvements in current AI using mathematical or logical techniques are unlikely to lead to general AI. Instead, the AI community should incorporate neuroscience discoveries about the neocortex. It further explains the limitations of current AI techniques and focuses on the biologically constrained Thousand Brains Theory describing the neocortex’s computational principles.
AUTHORS:
Charmaine Lai
PUBLICATION:
Review Paper
A Thousand Brains: Toward Biologically Constrained AI
This paper reviews the state of artificial intelligence (AI) and the quest to create general AI with human-like cognitive capabilities. This review argues that improvements in current AI using mathematical or logical techniques are unlikely to lead to general AI. Instead, the AI community should incorporate neuroscience discoveries about the neocortex. It further explains the limitations of current AI techniques and focuses on the biologically constrained Thousand Brains Theory describing the neocortex’s computational principles.
AUTHORS:
Charmaine Lai
PUBLICATION:
Review Paper
A Framework for Intelligence and Cortical Function Based on Grid Cells in the Neocortex
In this research paper, Numenta proposes a novel theoretical framework for understanding what the neocortex does and how it does it. The framework is based on grid cells and has significant implications for neuroscience and machine intelligence.
AUTHORS:
Charmaine Lai
PUBLICATION:
Published in Frontiers in Neural Circuits Journal (Peer-reviewed)
Companion paper to A Framework for Intelligence and Cortical Function Based on Grid Cells in the Neocortex
This companion piece explains the Thousand Brains Theory of Intelligence, one of the big ideas introduced in the October 2018 research paper A Framework for Intelligence and Cortical Function Based on Grid Cells in the Neocortex by Jeff Hawkins, Marcus Lewis, Scott Purdy, Mirko Klukas, and Subutai Ahmad. Written by non-neuroscientists, it can be read as a standalone piece or as a primer for the full research paper.
AUTHORS:
Charmaine Lai
PUBLICATION: