On Intelligence

By: Jeff Hawkins, Sandra Blakeslee

Narrated by: Jeff Hawkins, Stefan Rudnicki

Jeff Hawkins, the man who created the PalmPilot, Treo smart phone, and other handheld devices, has reshaped our relationship to computers. Now he stands ready to revolutionize both neuroscience and computing in one stroke, with a new understanding of intelligence itself.

Hawkins develops a powerful theory of how the human brain works, explaining why computers are not intelligent and how, based on this new theory, we can finally build intelligent machines.

The brain is not a computer, but a memory system that stores experiences in a way that reflects the true structure of the world, remembering sequences of events and their nested relationships and making predictions based on those memories. It is this memory-prediction system that forms the basis of intelligence, perception, creativity, and even consciousness.

In an engaging style that will captivate audiences from the merely curious to the professional scientist, Hawkins shows how a clear understanding of how the brain works will make it possible for us to build intelligent machines, in silicon, that will exceed our human ability in surprising ways.

Written with acclaimed science writer Sandra Blakeslee, On Intelligence promises to completely transfigure the possibilities of the technology age. It is a landmark book in its scope and clarity.

Download the accompanying booklet of brain function illustrations, examples, and tests.©2004 Jeff Hawkins and Sandra Blakeslee (P)2005 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Hawkins's] argument is complex but comprehensible, and his curiosity will intrigue anyone interested in the lessons neurobiology may hold for AI." (Booklist)
"[Hawkins] fully anticipates, even welcomes, the controversy he may provoke within the scientific community and admits that he might be wrong, even as he offers a checklist of potential discoveries that could prove him right. His engaging speculations are sure to win fans." (Publishers Weekly)

An important part of any syllabus on AI and ML

It's always wonderful when top level experts are able to provide explanations on highly complex topics in ways that much less educated people can understand and appreciate. This book is one such example.

Incredibly interesting.

Extremely sensible and concise view on intelligence. I can't believe I'm just hearing about it now. I would be very surprised if our accurate theory of intelligence in the future didn't sound at least similar to this.

In depth analysis and theory of how the neocortex works

If you're interested in intelligent machines, how they might work and what that could mean for our future, you should read this book. He gives some fascinating input on the brain and how we think. He proposes that the neocortex operates off of a single flexible and robust algorithm and theorizes ways in which that algorithm might work.

Incredible

Hawkins satisfied my deepest curiosity about how the brain actually does its job!

An intelligent book

This is a very intelligently written book and it makes sense. It appears to be rooted in empirical studies and serious scientific theorizing. I expected it to be just one more unbased set of ponderings of a rich entrepreneur - but apparently, he really did seriously study this matter and think about it, I am surprised at the quality of this book. Hoghly recommend to all who are interested in such things.