Computer Science Illuminated, 7th Edition

13.4 Neural Networks

As mentioned earlier, some artificial intelligence researchers focus on how the human brain actually works and try to construct computing devices that work in similar ways. An artificial neural network in a computer attempts to mimic the actions of the neural networks of the human body. Let’s first look at how a biological neural network works.

Biological Neural Networks

A neuron is a single cell that conducts a chemically based electronic signal. The human brain contains billions of neurons connected into a network. At any point in time a neuron is in either an excited state or an inhibited state. An excited neuron conducts a strong signal; an inhibited neuron conducts a weak signal. A series of connected neurons forms ...