Imitation of honey bees' concept learning processes using Vector Symbolic Architectures

Abstract

This article presents a proof-of-concept validation of the use of Vector Symbolic Architectures as central component of an online learning architectures. It is demonstrated that Vector Symbolic Architectures enable the structured combination of features/relations that have been detected by a perceptual circuitry and allow such relations to be applied to novel structures without requiring the massive training needed for classical neural networks that depend on trainable connections. The system is showcased through the functional imitation of concept learning in honey bees. Data from real-world experiments with honey bees (Avarguès-Weber et al.; 2012) are used for benchmarking. It is demonstrated that the proposed pipeline features a similar learning curve and accuracy of generalization to that observed for the living bees. The main claim of this article is that there is a class of simple artificial systems that reproduce the learning behaviors of certain living organisms without requiring the implementation of computationally intensive cognitive architectures. Consequently, it is possible in some cases to implement rather advanced cognitive behavior using simple techniques.