Abstract

INTRODUCTION The two main streams of neural networks research consider neural networks either as a powerful family of nonlinear statistical models, to be used in for example pattern recognition applications [6], or as formal models to help develop a computational understanding of the brain [10]. Historically, the brain theory interest was primary [32], but with the advances in computer technology, the application potential of the statistical modeling techniques has shifted the balance. 1 The study of neural networks as general computational devices does not strictly follow this division of interests: rather, it provides a general framework outlining the limitations and possibilities aecting both research domains. The prime historic example here is obviously Minsky's and Papert's 1969 study of the computational limitations of singlelayer perceptrons [34], which was a major inuence in turning away interest from neural network learning to symbolic AI techniques for more

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