The cost of memory: How organisms balance thinking and sensing
Researchers from the University of Tokyo and RIKEN have developed a mathematical model explaining how organisms balance the energy cost of memory against the need for accurate decision-making. The study suggests that organisms abruptly switch from reactive to memory-based strategies once resource availability crosses a specific threshold.
Why it matters
This research provides fundamental insights into biological decision-making and resource allocation, which could influence future developments in artificial intelligence and robotics.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo reveal how limited resources can cause sudden changes in the way organisms process information. Credit: Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo Remembering the past can help living organisms make better decisions, but memory comes at a cost. Whether it is an animal searching for food or a single cell responding to its surroundings, storing and using information requires energy and resources. So, when is memory worth the effort?
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