Artificial Life, (commonly Alife or alife) is a field of study and an art form that examines systems related to life, its processes and its evolution through simulations using computer models, robotics, and biochemistry[1] (called "soft" (from software), "hard" (from hardware), and "wet" approaches respectively[2]). Artificial life complements traditional biology by trying to recreate biological phenomena rather than take them apart.[3] Because of its predominance within the field, the term "Artificial Life" is often used to specifically refer to soft alife.
Overview
Artificial Life studies the evolution of agents, or populations of computer simulated life forms in artificial environments. The goal is to study phenomena found in real life evolution in a controlled manner, hopefully to eliminate some of the inherent limitations of evolutionary studies using live bacteria or mice. The simulated nature of the organisms and environments also allows for unorthodox and previously impossible experiments (such as a comparison of Lamarckian evolution and natural selection).
Also sometimes included in the umbrella term "artificial life" are other agent based emergent properties, such as the development of economies or societies. The common thread between all "artificial life" is the concept of an iterative population approach: generations of agents which can mutate and become fitter over time. |
Article Details