For Flux Sake: The Confluence of Socially- and Biologically-Inspired Computing for Engineering Change in Open Systems

Pitt, Jeremy; Hart, Emma

Abstract

This position paper is concerned with the challenge of engineering multi-scale and long-lasting systems, whose operation is regulated by sets of mutually-agreed, conventional rules. The core of the problem is that there are multiple, inter-dependent dimensions of flux, with numerous contextual factors to take into account. These dimensions of flux include, on the one hand, the set of rules itself; and on the other, the system components (population), their social network, and the operating environment. However, there appears to be no ‘one size fits all’ optimum ruleset for all combinations of population, social network and environment; nor (given the contextual factors) is there a planning-type algorithm that can compute an ‘ideal’ ruleset for any particular combination of population, social network and environment. These features of the problem suggest that recent advances in machine learning and evolutionary computation can provide the instruments for facilitating self-adaptation of a rule-based system over different timescales. This paper proposes that the integration of concepts from socially- and biologically-inspired computing can pave the way for eventual development of a computational framework that will enable principled (methodological) development of sustainable adaptive rule-based systems.

Citation

Pitt, J., & Hart, E. (2017, September). For Flux Sake: The Confluence of Socially- and Biologically-Inspired Computing for Engineering Change in Open Systems. Presented at 2017 IEEE 2nd International Workshops on Foundations and Applications of Self* Systems (FAS*W)

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (Published)
• Conference Name: 2017 IEEE 2nd International Workshops on Foundations and Applications of Self* Systems (FAS*W)
• Start Date: Sep 18, 2017
• End Date: Sep 22, 2017
• Acceptance Date: Jul 25, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 12, 2017
• Publication Date: Oct 12, 2017
• Deposit Date: Sep 4, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 5, 2017
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Series Title: IEEE SASO Workshops
• Book Title: 2017 IEEE 2nd International Workshops on Foundations and Applications of Self* Systems (FAS*W),
• Chapter Number: tba
• ISBN: 9781509065585
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/fas-w.2017.119
• Keywords: Dimensions of flux, planning-type algorithm, systems engineering,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/969160
• Contract Date: Sep 4, 2017