Artificial Imagination

[Tharindragalahena]

Imagination can be defined as ability to form new images and sensations that are not perceived through senses. It is a fascinating ability which humans developed through evolution which can be considered as a way of creating new knowledge without observing the external world. But in order to create this kind of new knowledge some previously created or gathered knowledge is needed. For example to imagine a blue apple, we need to know what blue and apple are.

 
Throughout the history, many psychologists have studied imagination and all its forms. According to psychological studies it has shown that humans engage in imagination form their early childhood.
According to neuroscience, the Neocortex and Thalamus which are responsible for consciousness and abstract thought are also controlling the brain's imagination. And also brain areas which are responsible for emotions, memory, thoughts etc. are also contribute to the process of imagination.
 
How about imagination in AI? What will we need to do in order to give the imagining ability to AI? And also what will they imagine? Why do they need imagination? In this article I tried to come with a discussion on this chain of questions.

http://tharindra.quora.com/Artificial-Imagination