An Artificial Mind via Cognitive Modular Neural Architecture

The author proposes that an artificial mind should be able to duplicate the processes of the human mind, i.e. inner imagery, inner speech, sensations, the cognitive functions like introspection, perception, attention, match, mismatch and novelty detection, learning, memory, reasoning, planning, emotions and motivation, perhaps even consciousness. Furthermore, the author proposes that a cognitive system’s ability to perceive and report its inner imagery as such should be taken as a test for machine self –consciousness. An artificial cognitive system based on modular neural architecture is presented here. This non-numeric system utilizes distributed signal representation, sensory preprocessing into feature signals, processing of information associatively with meaning and significance and a modular reentrant architecture that allows the establishment of inner imagery and speech as well as introspection. Match, mismatch and novelty signals are derived from neuron-level signal relations and they are used to effect sensory and inner attention. Pleasure/displeasure conditions are also modelled and they contribute to the reactive state of the system. This cognitive system is simulated by a PC with real digital camera and text input. The simulated system architecture consists of perception/response reentrant loop modules for linguistic, visual and gaze direction subsystems as well as subsystem modules for pleasure/displeasure and match/mismatch evaluation. The perception/response reentrant loop realizes sensory perception primed by prediction and inner evocations, introspective perception and the establishment and the grounding of meaning for inner imagery and inner words. Additionally the reentrant loop acts as a reverberating short-term working memory. In-loop associative neuron groups facilitate associative cross-connections to other modules. Learning and long-term memory are realized via synaptic strength modifications. The system can learn to recognize figures, learn the meaning of concrete words by ostension and via correlation, learn certain abstract words and rudimentary syntax by examples, learn to recognize new figures by verbal description, learn temporal sequences and predict their continuation, detect affirmation and contradiction, deduct the properties of a given object from evoked inner imagery. Learning is inductive and fast, only few repetitions are needed.words and rudimentary syntax by examples, learn to recognize new figures by verbal description, learn temporal sequences and predict their continuation, detect affirmation and contradiction, deduct the properties of a given object from evoked inner imagery. Learning is inductive and fast, only few repetitions are needed. This system has several features that are commonly attributed to consciousness: It is perceptive, it has inner imagery and inner speech; it is introspective, the inner workings are perceived by the system via reentry to perception process; there is attention and short-term memory. However, at this moment the system does neither have a body reference for self-concept nor episodic memory capacity for personal history, these will have to be added later.