Controlling combinatorial explosion in inference via synergy with nonlinear-dynamical attention allocation

Abstract

One of the core principles of the OpenCog AGI design, “cognitive synergy”, is exemplified by the synergy between logical reasoning and attention allocation. This synergy centers on a feedback in which nonlinear-dynamical attention-spreading guides logical inference control, and inference directs attention to surprising new conclusions it has created. In this paper we report computational experiments in which this synergy is demonstrated in practice, in the context of a very simple logical inference problem. More specifically: First-order probabilistic inference generates conclusions, and its inference steps are pruned via “Short Term importance” (STI) attention values associated to the logical Atoms it manipulates. As inference generates conclusions, information theory is used to assess the surprisingness value of these conclusions, and the “short term importance” attention values of the Atoms representing the conclusions are updated accordingly. The result of this feedback is that meaningful conclusions are drawn after many fewer inference steps than would be the case without the introduction of attention allocation dynamics and feedback therewith. This simple example demonstrates a cognitive dynamic that is hypothesized to be very broadly valuable for general intelligence.