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Caltech Course Catalog / 2024-2025 Catalog / Courses 2024-25 / The Evolution of Information Systems: From Life to Artificial Intelligence

FS 2 - The Evolution of Information Systems: From Life to Artificial Intelligence

FS 2

The Evolution of Information Systems: From Life to Artificial Intelligence

6 units (2-0-4)   |  second term

What is life? What is special about the human brain? How did the invention of writing enable the transition from human intelligence to artificial intelligence? We will argue that life is an information system that has memory stored in syntax (DNA) that is enriched by an innovation process (mutation and selection) that leads to new species. Also, we will argue that the human brain is an information system that has memory (enabled by natural languages) that is enriched by an innovation process (learning) that leads to new ideas. The emergence of life and the human brain served as the backdrop to the information (r)evolution that we are witnessing today!

Instructor: Bruck
Published Date: March 25, 2024