Information compression, multiple alignment, and intelligence

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the SP theory of intelligence and its realisation in the SP computer model. The central aim in developing the SP system has been to simplify and integrate observations and concepts across artificial intelligence, mainstream computing, mathematics, and human learning, perception and cognition. Key ideas in the theory are information compression via the matching and unification of patterns (ICMUP) and, more specifically, information compression via a concept of multiple alignment adapted from that concept in bioinformatics. Multiple alignment has the potential to be the “double helix” of intelligence — as significant for the understanding of intelligence as is DNA in biological sciences. The background and origins of the SP theory, and the structure and workings of the system are described in outline. The SP theory has strengths and potential in modelling several different aspects of human intelligence, as outlined in the paper. There are many potential applications of the SP system that are summarised with references to relevant papers.