A Program for Basic Research in Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Basic work in artificial intelligence is proceeding in a way similar to that of work in other areas. Hypotheses are formed, tests are run, and changes are made in the hypotheses. In artificial intelligence work, the hypotheses often take the form of a model. The model is often a computer program. A promising direction of investigation is the simulation of those aspects of animal behavior which we think of as showing intelligence. The tests of the hypotheses can be comparisons of the behavior of the model with that of the animal. Another possible test is to look in the animal for structures whose existence is suggested by the model. There is an assumption involved here which has not always been taken for granted. It is that intelligent behavior is not outside the realm of application of physical laws. We assume that a model which is structurally similar to an animal will behave approximately the same, and that the closer the similarity, the closer will be the approximation.