Connectionists: CFP - Workshop on Achieving Functional Integration of Diverse Neural Models

[Talib Hussain]

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Call for Papers
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Workshop on Achieving Functional Integration of Diverse Neural Models
August 4, 2005
7 - 10 pm

http://openmap.bbn.com/~thussain/NeuralIntegration/index.html

Part of IJCNN 2005 (International Joint Conference on Neural Networks)
Hilton Bonaventure Hotel
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

http://faculty.uwb.edu/ijcnn05/

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IMPORTANT DATES

Quick email indicating interest: As soon as possible
Position statement submission: May 16, 2005
Acceptance: May 17, 2005
Camera Ready position statement: May 20, 2005

Please submit to: neuralintegration at yahoo.com

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TOPICS AND GOALS

The field of neural networks presents a very rich variety of models that 
have been applied to many different problems.  However, successful 
application of neural networks to large-scale problems has been a general 
weakness.  Further, the development of complex neural systems that 
demonstrate significant cognitive capabilities currently seems beyond reach.

There is a critical need for new ideas and techniques for leveraging 
existing research by integrating current models in meaningful ways, with the 
goal of producing functional solutions to complex problems.  Once we 
understand how to effectively model not only the detailed processing of 
specific neural components, but also the rich variety of interactions that 
may occur between those neural components (and other non-neural ones), we 
may begin to realize systems that scale well and are cognitively robust.

The goals of this workshop are to explore what current integrative 
approaches and techniques show promise, and identify potential high-payoff 
areas for future research.  Relevant research areas may include, for 
example, modularity, evolutionary neural systems, hybrid systems that 
integrate biological processes (such as immune systems and hormonal systems) 
with neural models, neural growth mechanisms, neural system engineering 
techniques.

The outcome of this workshop is the identification of a set of key research 
topics on functional neural integration, together with an understanding of 
the key technical issues, limitations and benefits of each topic.  The 
creation of working groups to pursue these topics will be discussed.

The impact of this workshop will be to stimulate new discussion on a 
critical topic that we as a field ignore at our own risk.  New ways of 
approaching large-scale neural solutions must always be at the fore. The 
development of effective working groups will be important in generating 
interest and support from funding agencies and other customers to keep 
advancing the state-of-the-art.


INTENDED AUDIENCE

The intended audience for the workshop is the neural network researcher that 
is interested in large-scale neural models, as well as the customer that is 
interested in solutions to large-scale, complex problems.  The former may 
include practitioners in modular networks, evolutionary systems, robotic 
control, cognition, and neurophysiology.  The latter may include companies 
that specialized in robotics, dynamic control systems, prediction and 
forecasting, as well as government and military agencies.

We anticipate up to 20 participants, with a mix from industry, government 
and academia.


WORKSHOP FORMAT

The format of the workshop will be three hours with three successive 
sessions.  In the first session, up to 10 presenters will give a 10 minute 
position statement summarizing their view of the problem, current relevant 
research that they are aware of, and the key avenues of exploration that 
they feel will have the most payoff.  These position statements will be 
provided in the official workshop notes.  In addition, the workshop 
organizer will present a short summary of other position statements 
collected in advance or the day-of from other workshop participants.

Immediately following the first session, there will be a 45 minute 
networking and discussion session in which participants will be encouraged 
to discuss ideas in small groups and capture their thoughts on paper.

In the final session, there will be a mediated discussion to identify the 
common themes and most promising avenues that have been identified.  Working 
groups for those avenues will be identified and roles for those groups over 
the next year will be discussed.  As time permits, those working groups will 
break off to determine their roles, agenda and action items.


SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

The position statement will be 2 pages in length and will begin with the 
title, author(s)' affiliation and a concise 100 word abstract.  Ideally, the 
abstract will be a one-line summary of the key position taken. The statement 
will contain three sections titled Problem Statement, Current Research and 
Key Avenues.

* The Problem Statement will give the authors view of the key issues that 
need to be addressed with regard to the topic of the workshop.

* The Current Research section will give brief descriptions of the most 
applicable, interesting and/or controversial work that the authors feel are 
critical first steps towards achieving functional integration.

* The Key Avenues section will identify what approaches the authors feel 
will have the highest payoff in the near to mid term.

* References should be included at the end and will not count towards the 2 
page limit.

If your statement is not selected for presentation, you may still be given 
the option to have it included in the additional workshop notes that will be 
distributed at the workshop.  In this case, you will be required to attend 
the workshop, and the content of your statement will be summarized by the 
workshop organizer at the end of the first session.


ORGANIZER

Talib S. Hussain, Ph.D.
BBN Technologies
10 Moulton St., Room 308
Cambridge, MA 02474
Phone: 617-873-6861
Fax: 617-873-4328