Evolutionary Algorithms on the JVM via Scala -- a minimal introduction

Unless you've just woken up from a several-year cryostasis, you're probably aware of the recent resurgence of machine learning and AI. This is yet another cycle of enthusiasm (historically interspersed with so-called Winters), and this one is fueled mostly by interest in recommendation systems and the advances -- in algorithmics and supporting hardware -- of neural networks for machine vision and other purposes. It is therefore worthwhile to also consider other machine learning approaches, not as significantly blessed by the current hype. So, let's talk about evolution. The generic proper term for any sort of heuristic approach that is inspired and/or mimics the process of evolution is Evolutionary Algorithms.