Cognitive Dynamic Networks

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SUMMARY Research into Cognitive Dynamic Networks (CDN), inspired by the human brain, will build on the pioneering work done on Cognitive Dynamic Systems (CDS), research into which has been carried out by Simon Haykin, McMaster University, for about the last 10 years. In descriptive terms, the study of CDN embodies two basically different entities, but integrated together into one project: The Memory, and the Network. The Memory part consists of a layered structure, wherein each layer consists of a set of three cognits (standing for cognitive units), namely: perceptual cognit for perceiving the environment; executive cognit for action on the environment; and working-memory cognit that mediates between the perceptual and execute cognits and stabilizes them. As for the Network, its function is to integrate the sensors (responsible for generating the observables), the memory, and motor controllers under a single umbrella. The net result of this integration is a powerful CDN, which is stochastic self-organized, and complex; it is therefore capable of processing Big Data under the constraint of limited computational resources. Whereas the Memory looks to Cognitive Neuroscience for inspiration, the Network looks to the new fast-accelerating, broadly defined Network Science for mathematical and computational need The CDN project embodies three tasks, summarized as follows: Task 1 involves implementation of the CDN, based on a new software module that can accommodate the processing of Big Data for relevant (i.e., valuable) information. Task 2 studies intrinsic properties of CDN, namely, Stability, Robustness for trustworthiness, and Emergence behaviour, as well as extrinsic properties of CDN, namely, Observability, Controllability, and Universality. Task 3 addresses three areas for which CDN could make a practical difference: Arctic studies, the Power grid, and National security across the Canada-United States border along the Great Lakes.