An Algorithmic Information Calculus for Causal Discovery and Reprogramming Systems

We introduce and develop a method that demonstrates that the algorithmic information content of a system can be used as a steering handle in the dynamical phase space, thus affording an avenue for controlling and reprogramming systems. The method consists of applying a series of controlled intervent...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:iScience Vol. 19; pp. 1160 - 1172
Main Authors: Zenil, Hector, Kiani, Narsis A., Marabita, Francesco, Deng, Yue, Elias, Szabolcs, Schmidt, Angelika, Ball, Gordon, Tegnér, Jesper
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Elsevier Inc 27.09.2019
Elsevier
Subjects:
Algorithms
Complex Systems
Computer Science
Gene Network
Systems Biology
Algorithms
Systems Biology
Complex Systems
Gene Network
Computer Science
ISSN:2589-0042, 2589-0042
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We introduce and develop a method that demonstrates that the algorithmic information content of a system can be used as a steering handle in the dynamical phase space, thus affording an avenue for controlling and reprogramming systems. The method consists of applying a series of controlled interventions to a networked system while estimating how the algorithmic information content is affected. We demonstrate the method by reconstructing the phase space and their generative rules of some discrete dynamical systems (cellular automata) serving as controlled case studies. Next, the model-based interventional or causal calculus is evaluated and validated using (1) a huge large set of small graphs, (2) a number of larger networks with different topologies, and finally (3) biological networks derived from a widely studied and validated genetic network (E. coli) as well as on a significant number of differentiating (Th17) and differentiated human cells from a curated biological network data. [Display omitted] •Use of algorithmic randomness to steer systems in dynamical space to control and reprogram them•Applying series of controlled interventions we reprogram systems, programs, and networks•The method reconstructs the phase space and generative rules of discrete systems•We validate on a number of networks with different topologies, and on biological networks Gene Network; Systems Biology; Complex Systems; Computer Science; Algorithms
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These authors contributed equally
Senior author
ISSN:2589-0042
2589-0042
DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2019.07.043