SFU School of Computing Science: Distinguished Lecture Series "Biological Evolution as a Form of Learning"

Abstract

Computer science encompasses the study of both artificial as well as natural phenomena. The former concern artificially created devices such as computers. The latter relate to the many step-by-step, or computational, processes found in nature such as in the brain or in the course of biological evolution. In most areas, whether natural or artificial, the ultimate limitations of such processes are as yet not well understood. The potential of computing devices may be currently far from being fully realized, while fundamental quantitative questions in neuroscience and evolution remain unanswered. Professor Valiant's current research focuses on a number of such basic questions.