Intrinsically Motivated Learning In Natural And Artificial Systems

Intrinsically Motivated Learning in Natural and Artificial Systems

It has become clear to researchers in robotics and adaptive behaviour that current approaches are yielding systems with limited autonomy and capacity for self-improvement. To learn autonomously and in a cumulative fashion is one of the hallmarks of intelligence, and we know that higher mammals engage in exploratory activities that are not directed to pursue goals of immediate relevance for survival and reproduction but are instead driven by intrinsic motivations such as curiosity, interest in novel stimuli or surprising events, and interest in learning new behaviours. The adaptive value of such intrinsically motivated activities lies in the fact that they allow the cumulative acquisition of knowledge and skills that can be used later to accomplish fitness-enhancing goals. Intrinsic motivations continue during adulthood, and in humans they underlie lifelong learning, artistic creativity, and scientific discovery, while they are also the basis for processes that strongly affect human well-being, such as the sense of competence, self-determination, and self-esteem. This book has two aims: to present the state of the art in research on intrinsically motivated learning, and to identify the related scientific and technological open challenges and most promising research directions. The book introduces the concept of intrinsic motivation in artificial systems, reviews the relevant literature, offers insights from the neural and behavioural sciences, and presents novel tools for research. The book is organized into six parts: the chapters in Part I give general overviews on the concept of intrinsic motivations, their function, and possible mechanisms for implementing them; Parts II, III, and IV focus on three classes of intrinsic motivation mechanisms, those based on predictors, on novelty, and on competence; Part V discusses mechanisms that are complementary to intrinsic motivations; and Part VI introduces tools and experimental frameworks for investigating intrinsic motivations. The contributing authors are among the pioneers carrying out fundamental work on this topic, drawn from related disciplines such as artificial intelligence, robotics, artificial life, evolution, machine learning, developmental psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience. The book will be of value to graduate students and academic researchers in these domains, and to engineers engaged with the design of autonomous, adaptive robots. The contributing authors are among the pioneers carrying out fundamental work on this topic, drawn from related disciplines such as artificial intelligence, robotics, artificial life, evolution, machine learning, developmental psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience. The book will be of value to graduate students and academic researchers in these domains, and to engineers engaged with the design of autonomous, adaptive robots.

Intrinsically Motivated Open-Ended Learning in Autonomous Robots

Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Christian and Inter-Religious Studies (ICC-IRS 2024)

This is an open access book. Third International Conference on Christian and Inter-Religious Studies (ICC-IRS) 2024 will be held in Palangka Raya from June 20–22, 2024. This prestigious event is organized by the Institut Agama Kristen Negeri (IAKN) Palangka Raya as part of an ongoing effort to facilitate academic discussions on critical issues in the digital era. With the theme “Religion, Education, and Culture in the Digital Age,” this conference will serve as a forum for scholars, researchers, and practitioners from various backgrounds to discuss and share insights in the fields of religion and education. The topics to be covered include a wide range of disciplines, including Education, Theology, Psychology and Counseling, Sociology and Philosophy of Religion, Religious Moderation, as well as Music and Arts. To enrich the discussions, the conference will feature distinguished academics from both domestic and international institutions as keynote speakers. With great enthusiasm, the committee has received over 200 participants from various institutions, and of these, approximately 125 manuscripts have been approved for presentation. From these presentations, around 75 full papers will be selected for publication. It is hoped that this conference will not only contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge in the field of religion but also strengthen academic networks among the participants, fostering further collaboration in the future.