Computer Algorithms Inspired by Nature
There are More Than 250, but Let's Take a Closer Look at Some of Them
Apollo 8 (1969)LIFE Photo Collection
Mimicking Mechanisms Found in Natural Phenomena Makes Sense
Nature-inspired optimization algorithms (NIOAs) are computer algorithms inspired and mimicking mechanisms found in natural phenomena, order, and processes in nature.
Zoo BatLIFE Photo Collection
Biology Inspired Algorithms
...are mathematical equations based on insect pollination, whale or bat echolocation, luminosity control in fireflies, natural selection and much more. They have been in use since the 1960s.
By Nina LeenLIFE Photo Collection
They have been in use since the 1960s.
Dodo skeleton, Raphus cucullatusRoyal Ontario Museum
Evolutionary Algorithms
...are the oldest amongst nature-inspired algorithms and mimic the theory of evolution (Charles Darwin, 1859).
Evolutionary computing is a gradual optimization technique based on selecting for desirable traits in every "generation" / stage of processing.
By Carlo BavagnoliLIFE Photo Collection
Swarm-Intelligence Algorithms
...are widely used in robotics and telecommunications.
Most important characteristics are decentralized control - distributed among individual swarm members, collective behavior, system led individual behavior and adaptability to environmental change / change of parameters.
photograph: (1950)The Strong National Museum of Play
Physics-based Algorithms
...gained in popularity since the 1990s and look at simulation of natural laws of physics including those of electric charge, gravity, leverage).
Black hole algorithms for instance absorb the worst individual elements or solutions in a population to derive better median solutions.
By Fritz GoroLIFE Photo Collection
Chemistry-based Algorithms
.look to the molecular level of interaction in nature. Chemical reaction optimization for is a population-based meta-heuristic algorithm based on the principles the chemical reaction process of transforming reactants (or molecules) through a sequence of reactions into products.
Chemical reaction optimization for is a population-based meta-heuristic algorithm based on the principles the chemical reaction process of transforming reactants (or molecules) through a sequence of reactions into products.
Chemistry-based Algorithms
...look to the molecular level of interaction in nature.
Woodstock Music & Art Fair (1969-08) by John DominisLIFE Photo Collection
Social Phenomena Inspired Algorithms
Human society is more complex than other groups and algorithms it inspires may be more robust. They look at civilization development phenomena such as leadership and influence, teaching and learning, alliance formation, social labeling of individuals, and social emotion.
Bees flying into beehive by Jošt GantarSlovenian Tourist Board
Faster Computers Enable Intense Nature-like Processing
These are demanding computational protocols for finding solutions to complex problems in computer science, mathematics, medicine, and across industries and vast amounts of processed data.
Faster Computers Enable Intense Nature-like Processing
These are demanding computational protocols for finding solutions to complex problems in computer science, mathematics, medicine, and across industries and vast amounts of processed data.
Big Data Will Bring It All Together (2010) by Unknown and 2010Cotton Australia
Nature Inspires Big Data Analysis & Artificial Intelligence
What we learn from the world around us - from nature, enables us to build new technology and new artificial worlds.
Real world use-cases include some we use on a daily basis like spam filtering and image processing.
Caught moments from Slovenian Alps by Anže ČoklSlovenian Tourist Board
15+ years of NIOAs Activity in Slovenia
The strong NIOAs community organizes regular workshops, empowering students and mentors from university, research and industry to meet and exchange knowledge and ideas at the University of Ljubljana and the UNESCO International Centre for AI Research (Insitute Jožef Stefan).
💻 Story by the Computer History Museum in Slovenia
