"A glimpse into the future of intelligent machines, and a journey through the laboratories and researchers that are building them. The book offers a mix of fiction and nonfiction narrative: readers can "see" a world, a few decades away, where intelligent machines have become reality, and learn about the science brewing in today's labs and the technical and socioeconomic challenges, often through the words of scientists and entrepreneurs that make it happen"-- Provided by publisher
Artificial Life research offers a continuous learning experience, regardless of one's perspective, goals, or level of expertise. The phenomena discussed at the European Conference on Artificial Life (ECAL) in Lausanne have not been artificially created but have evolved through processes of artificial evolution and self-organization. This field merges biological and artificial sciences, enabling the replication of biological dynamics within computer memory, where machines exhibit behaviors and communication akin to living organisms. Complex life-like entities are synthesized using electronic chromosomes and artificial chemistries. The influence of Artificial Life extends across science, philosophy, and technology, establishing a robust method for exploring complex life phenomena. Philosophically, concepts of life and intelligence are redefined in relation to the dynamics of observed systems and their environments, challenging the notion that these traits are exclusive to carbon-based life forms. Furthermore, the engineering of machines and software with life-like attributes, such as evolvability and self-repair, is becoming increasingly feasible, offering fresh perspectives in engineering and practical applications.