Why We Should Be Studying Artificial Life and not Artificial Intelligence
Artificial life, often abbreviated as A-Life, is an interdisciplinary scientific field focused on studying life and life-like processes through the use of artificial systems. Researchers in this field aim to understand biological phenomena by recreating these processes in other forms, such as in software, hardware, or biochemistry. A-Life examines systems related to life, its processes, and its evolution, not only in the carbon-based life that we’re familiar with, but also in alternative media that can support lifelike behavior.
This field brings together computer science, biology, physics, and mathematics, among other disciplines, to model and simulate complex systems such as cellular automata, evolutionary algorithms, and swarm intelligence. This helps in deepening our understanding of life as we know it, but also opens up possibilities for creating new forms of life, and potentially reshaping our definitions and perceptions of what constitutes ‘life’.
The Purpose of A-Life
Researching artificial life serves several significant purposes:
1. Understanding life: Artificial life enables us to create simplified models of complex biological systems, which helps us understand the principles that guide life. By recreating certain aspects of life, we…
