Thu, Aug 20
Module 1. Humans, Intelligence, and Judgment
How Do Humans Learn? Biological Foundations
Brains, neurons, networks, and plasticity as a foundation for thinking about learning before we turn to machines.
Readings
Optional Readings
- Kelly, D. A. (2022, November 30). Neurons and glia: Basic components of the nervous system. BrainFacts. Link
Due
- Initial Thoughts on AIDue Th, Aug 20 at 3:00 PM · Canvas Discussion Forum
Topic / Focus
Before asking how machines learn, it is useful to take some time to consider how humans learn. Today, we’re going to begin that exploration by examining the biological foundations of learning, knowing, and doing: brains, neurons, networks, and plasticity. Learning physically changes your brain, and many machine learning algorithms are (loosely) based on the idea of “synaptic plasticity.” Therefore, understanding some of these basic concepts will provide an important foundation for later comparisons with machine learning and emerging approaches in AI.
Guiding Questions
- What does it mean for a biological system to learn?
- How can experience change neurons, synapses, networks, and behavior?
- Why is biological learning not one single process?
- What role do the body, environment, emotion, and experience play in learning?
- What do biological accounts of learning help us understand – and complicate – when we talk about machine “learning”?
What Kind of Learning Is Happening?
Readings
- Sawyer, R. K. (2014). Introduction: The new science of learning. In R. K. Sawyer (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences (2nd ed., pp. 1–18). Cambridge University Press. LinkAvailable via the Ramsey Library. Please log in via your UNCA Account
- Pick one
Optional Readings
- AI Warehouse. (2023). AI learns to walk (deep reinforcement learning) [Video]. YouTube. Link
Due
- Biological Intelligence ReflectionDue Tu, Aug 25 at 3:00 PM · Canvas Discussion Forum