A Biologist Looks At Cognitive AI

Alt,hough cognitive AI is not generally viewed as being "scieutific" in the same, strong sense as is physics, it shares a number of the properties of the natural sciences, especially biology Certain of the special themes of biology, notably the principles of bistoricity and of structure-function relations, are applicable in AI research From a biologist's viewpoint, certain principles of cognitive AI research emerge It typically gets mixed reviews-some critics raise their hands in horror and say, "This is not how things are done. You arc violating the canons of drama, and I just, don't like it." Others are swept along by the excitement of the play. Some of these friendlier critics may like what they see even t,hough it runs counter to principles they have previously espoused, but most like the new play in part because it does fit into their intellectual framework. It is in this latter spirit that I view the science of AI.