Artificial Intelligence Software Structured to Simulate Human Working Memory, Mental Imagery, and Mental Continuity

This article presents an artificial intelligence (AI) architecture intended to simulate the human working memory system as well as the manner in which it is updated iteratively. It features several interconnected neural networks designed to emulate the specialized modules of the cerebral cortex. These are structured hierarchically and integrated into a global workspace. They are capable of temporarily maintaining high-level patterns akin to the psychological items maintained in working memory. This maintenance is made possible by persistent neural activity in the form of two modalities: sustained neural firing (resulting in a focus of attention) and synaptic potentiation (resulting in a short-term store). This persistent activity is updated iteratively resulting in incremental changes to the content of the working memory system. As the content stored in working memory gradually evolves, successive states overlap and are continuous with one another. The present article will explore how this architecture can lead to gradual shift in the distribution of coactive representations, ultimately leading to mental continuity between processing states, and thus to human-like cognition.