Mechanisms of behaviour of insects and the automatic control of artificial intelligence

Insects surround us every day. Despite being the most numerous class of animals on earth, they rarely attract our attention. although the structure of their nervous system is completely different than mammals’ and their brain is microscopic, they can move perfectly in complex environments, learn from one another and create complicated social structures. Getting to know the mechanisms of their behaviour may be helpful in understanding the basics of more complex cognitive processes and provide excellent models for the needs of automation and artificial intelligence. The research conducted by us concerns, among others, insects’ ability to perceive the geometric properties of the environment, including, for instance, the ability to find the center of a symmetrical arena. Such experiments allow for asking questions about the most fundamental relationships between the animal’s mind and the surrounding world.

Bartosz Baran, BSc Insect neuroethology passionate, laureate of scholarship of the Polish Ministry of Science Department of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia in Katowice