In A Thousand Brains, computer scientist Jeff Hawkins offers a new theory of intelligence that overturns the conventional wisdom about how the brain works. He argues that we need to understand principles of brain function in order to build intelligent machines. Drawing on his own research and on findings from neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Hawkins demonstrates that the neocortexāthe part of our brain responsible for thought, memory, and creativityāfunctions according to simple mathematical laws. These laws dictate how assemblies of neurons must be wired together in order to create structures capable of complex tasks such as pattern recognition and decision making. Hawkins shows how these insights can be harnessed to create computers with human-like capabilities and lays out a road map for future research into cognitive science and artificial intelligence.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for computer scientists, researchers in cognitive science and artificial intelligence, and anyone interested in how the brain works.
Pros :
- It offers a new and refreshing perspective on intelligence which is based on mathematical laws that govern how our brain works.
- It is full of interesting case studies and examples from both neuroscience and artificial intelligence research.
- It provides a clear roadmap for future research into cognitive science and artificial intelligence.
Cons :
- It is dense and may be difficult for the average reader to follow.
- It doesn’t offer many practical applications.
- The theory presented is still in its infancy and has yet to be proven correct.
Learn more about the author
Jeff Hawkins is the co-founder of Palm, Handspring, and Numenta. He holds a B.S. from Cornell University and an M.S. from Stanford University.
Reader Reviews
“Jeff Hawkins has written an extremely important book on the brain and intelligence. It is clear, cogent, and compellingāa must-read for anyone interested in these topics.”
“A Thousand Brains is a tour de force, an intellectual apotheosis of the highest order. Hawkins provides a coherent and compelling alternative to our current scientific understanding of intelligence.”
“A Thousand Brains offers a refreshing, insightful new perspective on intelligenceāone that is sure to ignite heated debate and profoundly affect our understanding of the brain and its potential for machine-based cognition. Hawkins ably demonstrates how mathematical principles underlie cortical function, providing deep insights into how we think and learn.”
“A Thousand Brains is a fantastic book that will change the way you think about intelligence, brain function and computer science. Hawkins provides an extremely clear and concise description of his new theory of intelligence, backed up by years of research and experimentation. This is required reading for anyone interested in cognitive science or artificial intelligence.”
