KEYNOTE: Predictive Processing: Illuminating and Modeling Cognitive Development

Yukie Nagai, University of Tokyo, JAPAN ABSTRACT: "Cognitive development is an intricate and multifaceted process that has captivated researchers for decades. Human abilities related to perception and action continually evolve during development, exhibiting remarkable diversity among individuals. This presentation explores the concept of predictive processing as a promising unified theory for illuminating and modeling cognitive development. Rooted in neuroscience, predictive processing offers a unique perspective for understanding how the brain constructs its perception of the world. The core idea posits that the brain continually generates internal models to predict the world and refines them in response to sensory input to minimize prediction errors. This dynamic process underlies the acquisition of cognitive abilities, from self-recognition to goal-directed actions, and even fosters the emergence of social behaviors like imitation and altruism, facilitated through multimodal predictions. Moreover, this presentation sheds light on how disruptions in predictive processing lead to individual diversities, including developmental disorders. By emphasizing the concept of predictive processing and showcasing its practical application in robotic experiments, we aim to demonstrate its potential as a unifying framework for cognitive development. This presentation opens doors to exciting opportunities for creating more adaptive and intelligent systems."