Editing Memory-prediction framework (section)

== Contribution and limitations ==

By design, the current theory builds on the work of numerous neurobiologists, and it may be argued that most of these ideas have already been proposed by researchers such as [[Stephen Grossberg|Grossberg]] and [[Vernon Mountcastle|Mountcastle]]. On the other hand, the novel separation of the conceptual mechanism (i.e., bidirectional processing and invariant recognition) from the biological details (i.e., neural layers, columns and structures) lays the foundation for abstract thinking about a wide range of cognitive processes.

The most significant limitation of this theory is its current{{when|date=April 2023}} lack of detail. For example, the concept of [[invariant (physics)|invariance]] plays a crucial role; Hawkins posits "[[Name cell#.22Name cells.22 at layers 2 and 3 should preferentially connect to layer 6 cells of cortex|name cell]]s" for at least some of these invariants. (See also [[Neural ensemble#Encoding]] for [[Grandmother cell|grandmother neurons]] which perform this type of function, and [[mirror neuron]]s for a [[somatosensory system]] viewpoint.) But it is far from obvious how to develop a mathematically rigorous definition, which will carry the required conceptual load across the domains presented by Hawkins. Similarly, a complete theory will require credible details on both the short-term dynamics and the learning processes that will enable the cortical layers to behave as advertised.

[[IBM]] is implementing Hawkins' model.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}
{{update section|date=April 2023}}