Explainable cognitive systems as plastic dynamical systems
Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, United Kingdom
Course overview
Artificial intelligence (AI) is abundant but features a critical flaw -- the lack of explainability. Namely, its operation is opaque, the way it makes decisions is unclear, which undermines our trust in its decision-making. Modern AI is mostly based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) [1], which work as “black boxes” and possess unwanted features, such as false memories, catastrophic forgetting of old memories, and inability to learn on the go like humans [2-5].
These cannot eradicated because nobody understands how they arise. Within the current project, ANNs will be considered as a special case of dynamical systems (DSs) of a novel type, those with a plastic self-organising vector field [6-9]. Plastic DSs will be used to better explain how the existing ANNs operate, and to design new intelligent (cognitive) systems with prescribed features and without undesirable traits.
Such systems will be fully explaianble, and would form a mathematical basis for the development of safe AI in the future. Famous reference to artificial NN in the form of DS (although it does not say “dynamical system”): Discussion of non-explainability of modern AI and related issues: Paper introducing solution to explainability (among other things): Papers analysing systems of the new type: 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021
Key highlights
- Research tackling the lack of explainability in modern AI
- Models artificial neural networks as plastic self-organising dynamical systems
- Investigates false memories and catastrophic forgetting in neural networks
- Designs new cognitive systems with prescribed features and no undesirable traits
- Builds a mathematical basis for developing safe AI
- 94% of research impact rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
Entry requirements
- Degree: 2:1 — 2:1
Scholarships
Alumni Bursary
10% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 10% of feesAlumni Discount
UK students: £1,500 tuition fee discount for one academic year. International students: £3,000 tuition fee discount for one academic year.
Care Leaver's Scholarship
Excellence Scholarships
UK students: £3,000 off tuition fees; International students: £6,000 off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary
Our International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary offers a £12,000 tuition fee discount (set against the tuition fees of your chosen postgraduate taught programme ONLY).
Up to £12,000London 10th Anniversary Award
£5,000 off tuition fees.
Up to £5,000Loughborough Business School Scholarship
£1,500 (UK students) and £3,000 (international students) off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
MBA Progress with Purpose Scholarship
50% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 50% of feesQatari Ghanim Al-Muftah Excellence Scholarship
Careers this course leads to
- Postdoctoral researcher in mathematics or AI
- Machine learning research scientist
- AI safety researcher
- University lecturer in applied mathematics
- Data scientist
Cost of study
UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £23,100
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Loughborough University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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