The SP theory of intelligence: benefits and applications

Tel.: 44-1248-712962; 44-7746-290775 Received: 26 May 2013; in revised form: 13 December 2013 / Accepted: 13 December 2013 / Published: xx Abstract: This article describes existing and expected benefits of the SP theory of intelligence, and some potential applications. The theory aims to simplify and integrate ideas across artificial intelligence, mainstream computing, and human perception and cognition, with information compression as a unifying theme. It combines conceptual simplicity with descriptive and explanatory power across several areas of computing and cognition. In the SP machine--an expression of the SP theory which is currently realized in the form of a computer model--there is potential for an overall simplification of computing systems, including software. The SP theory promises deeper insights and better solutions in several areas of application including, most notably, unsupervised learning, natural language processing, autonomous robots, computer vision, intelligent databases, software engineering, information compression, medical diagnosis and big data. There is also potential in areas such as the semantic web, bioinformatics, structuring of documents, the detection of computer viruses, data fusion, new kinds of computer, and the development of scientific theories. The theory promises seamless integration of structures and functions within and between different areas of application. The potential value, worldwide, of these benefits and applications is at least $190 billion each year. Further development would be facilitated by the creation of a high-parallel, open-source version of the SP machine, available to researchers everywhere. Keywords: artificial intelligence; information compression; unsupervised learning; natural language processing; pattern recognition Information 2013, xx 2 1. Introduction The SP theory of intelligence aims to simplify and integrate concepts across artificial intelligence, mainstream computing and human perception and cognition, with information compression as a unifying theme. This article describes existing and expected benefits of the SP theory and some of its potential applications. The theory is described most fully in [1] and more briefly in an extended overview [2]. This article should be read in conjunction with either or both of those accounts. In brief, the existing and expected benefits of the theory are: - Conceptual simplicity combined with descriptive and explanatory power.