About this Research Topic

Background

Although human intelligence is deeply investigated by neuroscientists, psychologists, philosophers, and AI researchers, we still lack of a widely accepted definition of what it is. If we exploit the emergence theory from Complexity Science to give a definition, we might state that human intelligence is the emergent property of the human nervous system. Such fascinating emergent property allows us to handle both accurate and vague information by computing with numbers and words. Moreover, it allows us to reason, speak and take rational decisions in an environment of uncertainty, partiality and relativity of truth, when the “Incompatibility Principle” holds: “As the complexity of a system increases, accuracy and significance become almost mutually exclusive characteristics of our statements”. Finally, our intelligence allows us recognizing quite easily variable patterns. Therefore, it is worthwhile investigating human intelligence and trying to mimic it by developing Artificial Intelligence.

Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence is in vogue: it is applied in both basic and applied science. Traditionally, there are two strategies to develop Artificial Intelligence. A strategy consists in writing human-like intelligent software running in von Neumann computers or special-purpose hardware. The other strategy consists in neuromorphic engineering. Neuromorphic engineering implements surrogates of neurons through non-biological systems, either for neuro-prosthesis or to design brain-like computing machines. A third strategy is now blooming and it consists in using molecular, supramolecular, materials, and systems chemistry to mimic some basic functions of human intelligence such as Boolean, multi-valued logic gates, and Fuzzy logic. This third strategy is originating Chemical Artificial Intelligence (CAI). A relevant purpose of CAI is to design modules for Chemical Robots. A Chemical Robot is thought of as a molecular assembly that reacts autonomously to its environment by probing it with molecular sensors, making decisions by its intrinsic Artificial Neural Networks or logic gates, and performing actions upon its environment through molecular effectors. The intelligent activities of any Chemical Robot should be sustained energetically by a metabolic unit. Chemical Robots should be easily miniaturized and implanted in living beings to interplay with cells or organelles for biomedical applications. They should become auxiliary elements of the natural immune system.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Opinion, General Commentary, and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:

• Chemical and biological Implementation of fuzzy logic
• Chemical and biological Implementation of binary and multi-valued logic functions to perform specific tasks
• Protein computing and computations within cells
• Fuzzy proteins
• Chemical implementation of Artificial Neuron Models
• Any form of communication among the artificial neuron models;
• Modules for Chemical Robots: sensors, artificial neural networks, and effectors/actuators.
• Dynamics of chemical and biological systems (including chemical oscillators) as a computational medium
• Chaotic dynamics of molecular systems/ nanosystems related to 1/f cognitive processes.
• Reservoir Computing and Heterotic computing
• Systems Chemistry and Biology.

Keywords: Chemical Artificial Intelligence, Chemical Robots, Neuromorphic Engineering, Fuzzy logic, Discrete logics

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