IJCNN 2005 Workshop

Achieving Functional Integration of Diverse Neural Models

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

Workshop will immediately follow IJCNN 2005
Hilton Bonaventure Hotel
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
August 4, 2005
7 - 10 pm

Important Dates

Please submit to:

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.

Workshop Format

The format of the workshop will be three hours with three successive sessions.  In the first session, the workshop topic will be introduced and 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. 

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.  If there is interest, working groups for those avenues will be identified and roles for those groups over the next year will be discussed. 

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.

Organizer

The workshop’s web site will be updated regularly with those individuals that have expressed interest in participating and with the ideas they have submitted.  The results of the workshop and the details of the working groups will be posted following the workshop.  If the working groups are interested, we will approach a neural network journal regarding a special issue on the results of those groups' endeavours over the next year.