Story Behind The Song

Technology is a powerful tool. Just like all tools, it can be used for both good and bad. This song introduces the listener to the subject of evolutionary computation, whereby synthetic organisms are created in modelled worlds and studied with a view to applying some of the solutions found in the search space to real life.

Song Description

A song that outlines how computers are being used to model evolution, with a view to solving real-world problems.

Lyrics

A genetic algorithm, is a model of machine learning, which derives its behavior, from a metaphor of some of the mechanisms of evolution in nature.

This is done by the creation, within a computer, of a population of individuals, represented by chromosomes.

It is, in essence, a set of character strings, that are analogous to the base-4 chromosomes, that we see in our own, human DNA.

The individuals in the population, then go through a process of simulated "evolution".

Genetic algorithms, are used for a number of different, real world application areas.

An example of this, would be multi dimensional optimisation problems.

Here, the character string of the chromosome, can be used to encode the values, for the different parameters being optimized.

In practice, we can implement this genetic model of computation, by having arrays of bits or characters, to represent the chromosomes.

Simple bit manipulation operations, allow the implementation of cross-over, mutation and other operations.

Consider this example.

t = 0
initialize population.
evaluate fitness of all initial individuals of population.
while not done...
t = t + 1
select a sub-population for offspring production using PT
re-combine the genes of selected parents.
perturb the mated population stochastically, by mutating PT
evaluate fitness of all individuals within population, PT
select the survivors using the actual function.
p = survive P P prime, T
end while

I hope you enjoyed this short introduction to genetic algorithms.