How can we direct evolution? | Silvio Revelli | TEDxVarese

we have a new superpower it’s directing

we have a new superpower it’s directing the evolution directing devolution is

the evolution directing devolution is

the evolution directing devolution is something that elect has created new

something that elect has created new

something that elect has created new amazing things far beyond the limit of

amazing things far beyond the limit of

amazing things far beyond the limit of the theory when you usually want to

the theory when you usually want to

the theory when you usually want to create something new you have to know

create something new you have to know

create something new you have to know how to do it

how to do it

how to do it for example behind the creation of a

for example behind the creation of a

for example behind the creation of a skyscraper there are the laws of statics

skyscraper there are the laws of statics

skyscraper there are the laws of statics behind the creation of a new chemical

behind the creation of a new chemical

behind the creation of a new chemical product there are the laws of chemistry

product there are the laws of chemistry

product there are the laws of chemistry and behind the creation of a new

and behind the creation of a new

and behind the creation of a new computer application there are the

computer application there are the

computer application there are the underlying procedures or algorithm

theory is essential nowaday to create

theory is essential nowaday to create new things theory is a sort of

new things theory is a sort of

new things theory is a sort of generalization of the phenomenon and

generalization of the phenomenon and

generalization of the phenomenon and from the general laws we can find the

from the general laws we can find the

from the general laws we can find the solution to particular problems with the

solution to particular problems with the

solution to particular problems with the theory we can rationally explain each

theory we can rationally explain each

theory we can rationally explain each component of our system why is there and

component of our system why is there and

component of our system why is there and how it works but what if we don’t know

how it works but what if we don’t know

how it works but what if we don’t know the theory well we are in the dark

the theory well we are in the dark

the theory well we are in the dark forest of ignorance and this is like the

forest of ignorance and this is like the

forest of ignorance and this is like the situation we are in front of a true or

situation we are in front of a true or

situation we are in front of a true or false examination and we studied nothing

false examination and we studied nothing

false examination and we studied nothing we are totally unprepared so our only

we are totally unprepared so our only

we are totally unprepared so our only choice is to do some random guessing

choice is to do some random guessing

choice is to do some random guessing true false false true false obviously

true false false true false obviously

true false false true false obviously this is the opposite of a rational

this is the opposite of a rational

this is the opposite of a rational approach but after all this is our only

approach but after all this is our only

approach but after all this is our only choice in this case is enough to study a

choice in this case is enough to study a

choice in this case is enough to study a little bit and apply but there are

little bit and apply but there are

little bit and apply but there are real-world situations for which there is

real-world situations for which there is

real-world situations for which there is a real lack of theory situation

a real lack of theory situation

a real lack of theory situation involving very complex structures or

involving very complex structures or

involving very complex structures or maybe

maybe

maybe dealing with a million or even billion

dealing with a million or even billion

dealing with a million or even billion or free parameters situations that are

or free parameters situations that are

or free parameters situations that are mysterious or only partially explained

mysterious or only partially explained

mysterious or only partially explained for example we would like to create a

for example we would like to create a

for example we would like to create a very complex structure constrained by

very complex structure constrained by

very complex structure constrained by demanding constraint or maybe we would

demanding constraint or maybe we would

demanding constraint or maybe we would like to synthesize a new kind of protein

like to synthesize a new kind of protein

like to synthesize a new kind of protein but we don’t know the corresponding DNA

but we don’t know the corresponding DNA

but we don’t know the corresponding DNA sequence that can codify this protein or

sequence that can codify this protein or

sequence that can codify this protein or maybe we would like to create a new form

maybe we would like to create a new form

maybe we would like to create a new form of intelligence but we cannot train the

of intelligence but we cannot train the

of intelligence but we cannot train the neural network and because we don’t know

neural network and because we don’t know

neural network and because we don’t know the underlying procedures explicitly so

the underlying procedures explicitly so

the underlying procedures explicitly so what can we do the idea is that before

what can we do the idea is that before

what can we do the idea is that before seeing the magic power coming from the

seeing the magic power coming from the

seeing the magic power coming from the our new superpower let’s see the huge

our new superpower let’s see the huge

our new superpower let’s see the huge generative force of the evolution me you

generative force of the evolution me you

generative force of the evolution me you you you you everyone here is here

you you you everyone here is here

you you you everyone here is here because of the generative force of

because of the generative force of

because of the generative force of devolution and it may be seeking trivial

devolution and it may be seeking trivial

devolution and it may be seeking trivial but from a situation of total disorder

but from a situation of total disorder

but from a situation of total disorder evolution creates order and again maybe

evolution creates order and again maybe

evolution creates order and again maybe is trivial but evolution created amazing

is trivial but evolution created amazing

is trivial but evolution created amazing things without a theory without a theory

things without a theory without a theory

things without a theory without a theory for example sequoias are big structures

for example sequoias are big structures

for example sequoias are big structures but has been created through an

but has been created through an

but has been created through an evolutionary process and without a

evolutionary process and without a

evolutionary process and without a theory

theory

theory so the photosynthesis is a very complex

so the photosynthesis is a very complex

so the photosynthesis is a very complex chemical reaction and as being created

chemical reaction and as being created

chemical reaction and as being created without a theory and also forms of

without a theory and also forms of

without a theory and also forms of intelligence are that are populating our

intelligence are that are populating our

intelligence are that are populating our world for example here we can see some

world for example here we can see some

world for example here we can see some ends are created through continuous try

ends are created through continuous try

ends are created through continuous try & retry and also obviously the

& retry and also obviously the

& retry and also obviously the intelligence of great mammals or the

intelligence of great mammals or the

intelligence of great mammals or the human brain so what is the secret the

human brain so what is the secret the

human brain so what is the secret the secret is time plus freedom

secret is time plus freedom

secret is time plus freedom time because there are no time

time because there are no time

time because there are no time constraints for devolution

constraints for devolution

constraints for devolution all the time is available and freedom

all the time is available and freedom

all the time is available and freedom freedom to make it right

freedom to make it right

freedom to make it right freedom to do mistakes freedom to do it

freedom to do mistakes freedom to do it

freedom to do mistakes freedom to do it right to change the rules to overwrite

right to change the rules to overwrite

right to change the rules to overwrite the rules and so on trial and error are

the rules and so on trial and error are

the rules and so on trial and error are commonly see as a key element in

commonly see as a key element in

commonly see as a key element in personal growth as we have seen and is

personal growth as we have seen and is

personal growth as we have seen and is also a key element in all

also a key element in all

also a key element in all intrapreneurial cultures also the

intrapreneurial cultures also the

intrapreneurial cultures also the scientific method brings with itself a

scientific method brings with itself a

scientific method brings with itself a component of try & retry so now let’s

component of try & retry so now let’s

component of try & retry so now let’s see how we can exploit the force of

see how we can exploit the force of

see how we can exploit the force of evolution and the idea is that to create

evolution and the idea is that to create

evolution and the idea is that to create something new we need a theory there are

something new we need a theory there are

something new we need a theory there are situation with where there is no theory

situation with where there is no theory

situation with where there is no theory and evolution can generate amazing thing

and evolution can generate amazing thing

and evolution can generate amazing thing without ative this idea is why don’t we

without ative this idea is why don’t we

without ative this idea is why don’t we exploit this and this superpower is

exploit this and this superpower is

exploit this and this superpower is directing devolution

directing devolution

directing devolution so let’s now imagine that we would like

so let’s now imagine that we would like

so let’s now imagine that we would like to create a sort of time bubble inside

to create a sort of time bubble inside

to create a sort of time bubble inside which the time go very very fast and

which the time go very very fast and

which the time go very very fast and think this world from the outside you

think this world from the outside you

think this world from the outside you can see the links happens very very fast

can see the links happens very very fast

can see the links happens very very fast inside it so from our perspective is a

inside it so from our perspective is a

inside it so from our perspective is a very fast world it is also isolated

very fast world it is also isolated

very fast world it is also isolated because there are no connection between

because there are no connection between

because there are no connection between the inside of the world with the outside

the inside of the world with the outside

the inside of the world with the outside and very bad things could happen inside

and very bad things could happen inside

and very bad things could happen inside without any direct consequences on our

without any direct consequences on our

without any direct consequences on our world and the third there is a an

world and the third there is a an

world and the third there is a an environment an environment that is an

environment an environment that is an

environment an environment that is an environment that is a place it initially

environment that is a place it initially

environment that is a place it initially with the some particular features for

with the some particular features for

with the some particular features for example could contain a good part and a

example could contain a good part and a

example could contain a good part and a non-state part and may be a basic set of

non-state part and may be a basic set of

non-state part and may be a basic set of rules that can partially limit the

rules that can partially limit the

rules that can partially limit the freedom of the agent and the agent free

freedom of the agent and the agent free

freedom of the agent and the agent free agents are the second component of our

agents are the second component of our

agents are the second component of our system

system

system and they are free to evolve and that

and they are free to evolve and that

and they are free to evolve and that could be of one type of multiple types

could be of one type of multiple types

could be of one type of multiple types or maybe also challenging each other so

or maybe also challenging each other so

or maybe also challenging each other so they are constantly pushing up they are

they are constantly pushing up they are

they are constantly pushing up they are linked and what about the direction the

linked and what about the direction the

linked and what about the direction the direction comes from letting the region

direction comes from letting the region

direction comes from letting the region give a sense give a govern and so from

give a sense give a govern and so from

give a sense give a govern and so from how we select the features at the

how we select the features at the

how we select the features at the beginning agent and environment we

beginning agent and environment we

beginning agent and environment we somehow direct how they will evolve so

somehow direct how they will evolve so

somehow direct how they will evolve so let’s see some practical examples

let’s see some practical examples

let’s see some practical examples first of all generative design

first of all generative design

first of all generative design generative design is very interesting

generative design is very interesting

generative design is very interesting because from some user-defined calls

because from some user-defined calls

because from some user-defined calls sorry for example I would like to

sorry for example I would like to

sorry for example I would like to sympathise SP chair I specified that the

sympathise SP chair I specified that the

sympathise SP chair I specified that the weight the cost and so on and then a

weight the cost and so on and then a

weight the cost and so on and then a computer implemented method generates

computer implemented method generates

computer implemented method generates the chair and not only one million or

the chair and not only one million or

the chair and not only one million or even billion of opportunities of designs

even billion of opportunities of designs

even billion of opportunities of designs that all satisfy our initial goal our

that all satisfy our initial goal our

that all satisfy our initial goal our initial constraints and a very similar

initial constraints and a very similar

initial constraints and a very similar procedure could be applied for example

procedure could be applied for example

procedure could be applied for example in another completely different area for

in another completely different area for

in another completely different area for example to synthetize new kind of

example to synthetize new kind of

example to synthetize new kind of proteins and this method is a directed

proteins and this method is a directed

proteins and this method is a directed evolution and from some user-defined

evolution and from some user-defined

evolution and from some user-defined goals to synthetize for example a

goals to synthetize for example a

goals to synthetize for example a protein for which we don’t know how to

protein for which we don’t know how to

protein for which we don’t know how to codify it because maybe is not present

codify it because maybe is not present

codify it because maybe is not present in nature carbon silicon protein for

in nature carbon silicon protein for

in nature carbon silicon protein for example okay the we define what we want

example okay the we define what we want

example okay the we define what we want and through million or even billion of

and through million or even billion of

and through million or even billion of mutagenesis we can reach a sort of

mutagenesis we can reach a sort of

mutagenesis we can reach a sort of genealogical tree and select the our

genealogical tree and select the our

genealogical tree and select the our final goal our final result and finally

final goal our final result and finally

final goal our final result and finally there is a third application for example

there is a third application for example

there is a third application for example in the

in the

in the field of the artificial intelligence

field of the artificial intelligence

field of the artificial intelligence let’s suppose that we would like to

let’s suppose that we would like to

let’s suppose that we would like to teach a robot to walk we don’t know how

teach a robot to walk we don’t know how

teach a robot to walk we don’t know how to explicitly codify the working

to explicitly codify the working

to explicitly codify the working procedure so what we can do we can

procedure so what we can do we can

procedure so what we can do we can create a sort of simulation environment

create a sort of simulation environment

create a sort of simulation environment where more and more generation are

where more and more generation are

where more and more generation are trying to work

trying to work

trying to work and finally we select the generation

and finally we select the generation

and finally we select the generation that is more performing in the task of

that is more performing in the task of

that is more performing in the task of work and we can iterate several time

work and we can iterate several time

work and we can iterate several time without a deal with evolutionary method

without a deal with evolutionary method

without a deal with evolutionary method so we are Volta robots my company design

so we are Volta robots my company design

so we are Volta robots my company design intelligence for small and MANET

intelligence for small and MANET

intelligence for small and MANET vehicles at CES Las Vegas this year we

vehicles at CES Las Vegas this year we

vehicles at CES Las Vegas this year we presented a self-driving Rover that can

presented a self-driving Rover that can

presented a self-driving Rover that can find its way through the forest relying

find its way through the forest relying

find its way through the forest relying only with one front-facing camera no

only with one front-facing camera no

only with one front-facing camera no other sensor so there is a form of

other sensor so there is a form of

other sensor so there is a form of intelligence that process the data from

intelligence that process the data from

intelligence that process the data from the world and convert the pixels into a

the world and convert the pixels into a

the world and convert the pixels into a variable action and this happens also on

variable action and this happens also on

variable action and this happens also on very different types of terrain so the

very different types of terrain so the

very different types of terrain so the robot recognize what is a train what is

robot recognize what is a train what is

robot recognize what is a train what is the force tray and this is amazing is

the force tray and this is amazing is

the force tray and this is amazing is possible only in the last a few years

possible only in the last a few years

possible only in the last a few years and now that we have seen these

and now that we have seen these

and now that we have seen these tremendous superpower of directing

tremendous superpower of directing

tremendous superpower of directing devolution let’s speak about the

devolution let’s speak about the

devolution let’s speak about the possible implications and consequences

possible implications and consequences

possible implications and consequences this means first of all two things first

this means first of all two things first

this means first of all two things first house is traditionally the enemy of a

house is traditionally the enemy of a

house is traditionally the enemy of a rational approach in the theory

rational approach in the theory

rational approach in the theory formalization but here house is a

formalization but here house is a

formalization but here house is a developing factor second not necessarily

developing factor second not necessarily

developing factor second not necessarily the theory come before the creation of

the theory come before the creation of

the theory come before the creation of new things in this case most of the time

new things in this case most of the time

new things in this case most of the time come after the creation of something

come after the creation of something

come after the creation of something first week

first week

first week and then we formalized a theory if

and then we formalized a theory if

and then we formalized a theory if possible and we must expect a huge

possible and we must expect a huge

possible and we must expect a huge growth of this kind of evolutionary

growth of this kind of evolutionary

growth of this kind of evolutionary methods in the next years in the number

methods in the next years in the number

methods in the next years in the number of application fields in the scale we

of application fields in the scale we

of application fields in the scale we must expect bigger and bigger

must expect bigger and bigger

must expect bigger and bigger environments and with a lot of variables

environments and with a lot of variables

environments and with a lot of variables in the growth in complexity and also the

in the growth in complexity and also the

in the growth in complexity and also the level of the assignment will grow we

level of the assignment will grow we

level of the assignment will grow we will give to our evolutionary systems

will give to our evolutionary systems

will give to our evolutionary systems micro walls higher and higher level

micro walls higher and higher level

micro walls higher and higher level questions and they will feedback us the

questions and they will feedback us the

questions and they will feedback us the consequences are mainly two the first

consequences are mainly two the first

consequences are mainly two the first one is that we absolutely need a

one is that we absolutely need a

one is that we absolutely need a unifying philosophy across the values

unifying philosophy across the values

unifying philosophy across the values application area that are implementing

application area that are implementing

application area that are implementing nowadays this method because we need a

nowadays this method because we need a

nowadays this method because we need a unifying philosophy that keeps all the

unifying philosophy that keeps all the

unifying philosophy that keeps all the advances together and secondly the main

advances together and secondly the main

advances together and secondly the main is acquiring more and more central

is acquiring more and more central

is acquiring more and more central position in the universe and this

position in the universe and this

position in the universe and this central position is the position of the

central position is the position of the

central position is the position of the director and this is a huge

director and this is a huge

director and this is a huge responsibility for for us because

responsibility for for us because

responsibility for for us because director comes from Latin the region I

director comes from Latin the region I

director comes from Latin the region I give a direction give a sense govern and

give a direction give a sense govern and

give a direction give a sense govern and we must ask as where are we going is

we must ask as where are we going is

we must ask as where are we going is more important than giving an answer is

more important than giving an answer is

more important than giving an answer is more important to ask us where what we

more important to ask us where what we

more important to ask us where what we want to achieve where are we going as

want to achieve where are we going as

want to achieve where are we going as you see before all the methods start

you see before all the methods start

you see before all the methods start when there is a user-defined goal new

when there is a user-defined goal new

when there is a user-defined goal new amazing things new amazing objects a

amazing things new amazing objects a

amazing things new amazing objects a biological object like proteins or even

biological object like proteins or even

biological object like proteins or even form of life or even a new kind of

form of life or even a new kind of

form of life or even a new kind of structures design are going to populate

structures design are going to populate

structures design are going to populate our world

our world

our world that’s a new form of intelligence they

that’s a new form of intelligence they

that’s a new form of intelligence they turn somehow Allen and for this reason

turn somehow Allen and for this reason

turn somehow Allen and for this reason all this kind of objects are some

all this kind of objects are some

all this kind of objects are some somehow like a dream they are not fully

somehow like a dream they are not fully

somehow like a dream they are not fully consciously understood in their inner

consciously understood in their inner

consciously understood in their inner workings but actually they work thank

workings but actually they work thank

workings but actually they work thank you

you

you [Applause]