Keep Your Options Open: An Information-Based Driving Principle for Sensorimotor Systems
2008

Keep Your Options Open: An Information-Based Driving Principle for Sensorimotor Systems

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Klyubin Alexander S., Polani Daniel, Nehaniv Chrystopher L.

Primary Institution: University of Hertfordshire

Hypothesis

Can an information-theoretic quantity, empowerment, characterize the efficiency of the perception-action loop in organisms?

Conclusion

The study suggests that empowerment can guide the evolution and development of sensorimotor loops in organisms.

Supporting Evidence

  • Empowerment quantifies the agent's potential ability to influence the environment.
  • The study shows that empowerment can guide the agent's state space.
  • Empowerment provides a natural utility function for agents in various scenarios.
  • Empowerment maximization leads to behaviors that align with intuitive tasks.
  • Empowerment can drive the evolution of sensorimotor apparatus in organisms.

Takeaway

This study looks at how organisms can use information to make better decisions and adapt to their environments.

Methodology

The study investigates empowerment as a utility function that measures the potential of an agent to influence its environment through its actions.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0004018

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication