A Universal Theory of Brain Function

In this monologue podcast, the speaker introduces the Free Energy Principle, a neuroscience theory positing that the brain actively predicts and explains sensory inputs rather than passively receiving them. The podcast explores how the brain evolved to minimize "free energy" by balancing sensory data with prior beliefs to enhance survival. It uses the example of a tiger to illustrate how the brain fills in incomplete sensory information. The discussion covers how the brain uses latent neurons and generative models to compress and reconstruct sensory data, and how prior experiences shape our perceptions, as demonstrated by the hollow face illusion. The podcast also touches on the computational challenges of inference and how the brain uses recognition models to approximate probabilities, ultimately aiming to build artificial systems mimicking the brain's predictive capabilities.