Page 201 - Artificial Intelligence in the Age of Neural Networks and Brain Computing

CHAPTER

Theory of the Brain and

Mind: Visions and History 9

Daniel S. Levine
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States

CHAPTER OUTLINE

1. Early History......................................................................................................192
2. Emergence of Some Neural Network Principles....................................................193
3. Neural Networks Enter Mainstream Science ........................................................194
4. Is Computational Neuroscience Separate From Neural Network Theory? ................196
5. Discussion.........................................................................................................198
References .............................................................................................................199

The International Neural Network Society (INNS) was founded in 1987 by a group
of scientists interested in pursuing fundamental problems about the mind and
imbued with a highly interdisciplinary vision. Many of these scientists had been
laboring for over 20 years at the fringes of their respective disciplines and now
saw an opportunity to bring their outlook to a larger audience, based on renewed
interest both in the artificial intelligence and the basic science communities. The
vision is well described in this mission statement:
The International Neural Network Society is the premiere organization for indi-
viduals interested in a theoretical and computational understanding of the brain
and applying that knowledge to develop new and more effective forms of machine
intelligence. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-neural-network-
society-inns-)
In other words, INNS, along with its flagship journal, Neural Networks, was
conceived as a home for researchers and students interested in the theory of brain
and mind, whether their primary interest was in understanding neuroscience or in
applying brain-like computation in industry. This chapter discusses some of the
history and current trends in neural networks and computational neuroscience,
with the aim of exploring how well INNS’s primary vision has been fulfilled over
the years. My focus will be on the modeling of neuroscientific and psychological
data, which I know best, more than on engineering applications.

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