Sentient Networks

George Chapline

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arXiv · adap-org/9712004

Sentient Networks

George Chapline

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Abstract

In this paper we consider the question whether a distributed network of sensors and data processors can form "perceptions" based on the sensory data. Because sensory data can have exponentially many explanations, the use of a central data processor to analyze the outputs from a large ensemble of sensors will in general introduce unacceptable latencies for responding to dangerous situations. A better idea is to use a distributed "Helmholtz machine" architecture in which the collective state of the network as a whole provides an explanation for the sensory data.

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George Chapline. 1997-12-13. Sentient Networks. https://arxiv.org/abs/adap-org/9712004

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