Proposed by Cerenaut and the Whole Brain Architecture Initiative
(What is a Request for Research/RFR?)
The vast majority of artificial neural networks have a fixed structure, defined by researchers using a combination of past experience and empirical optimization. Inter-layer connectivity and layer sizing does not vary during training. In many natural neural networks such as the neocortex, neurons are physically organized as one flat “sheet”, but are connected in a manner that produces a hierarchical (tree-like) structure. We observe that small-scale microcircuitry and gross patterns of organization are preserved between individuals. But between these extremes, there is considerable “plasticity” in the tree – experience determines the allocation of neurons to different regions within the hierarchy. Allowing training data to optimize both the structure and weights of a network could greatly enhance its performance.
An initial investigation was completed as Part 1 of this RFR (in a Monash University Masters project, link coming soon). A self-organising network was successfully implemented. The learning rules enabled a single-layer recurrent artificial neural network to form effective hierarchical structures. The codebase is available for extensions in this year’s project.
Now with a functioning solid base, there are a variety of exciting extensions possible. This project aims to extend the first phase in the following possible directions:
Open