Information Engines
• Neil D. Lawrence
Abstract
The relationship between physical systems and intelligence has long fascinated researchers in computer science and physics. This talk explores fundamental connections between thermodynamic systems and intelligent decision-making through the lens of free energy principles.
We examine how concepts from statistical mechanics - particularly the relationship between total energy, free energy, and entropy - might provide novel insights into the nature of intelligence and learning. By drawing parallels between physical systems and information processing, we consider how measurement and observation can be viewed as processes that modify available energy. The discussion encompasses how model approximations and uncertainties might be understood through thermodynamic analogies, and explores the implications of treating intelligence as an energy-efficient state-change process.
While these connections remain speculative, they offer intriguing perspectives for discussing the fundamental nature of intelligence and learning systems. The talk aims to stimulate discussion about these potential relationships rather than present definitive conclusions.