Tim Taylor is a scientist, author, and coder of artificial life technology, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has particular interests in open-ended evolution, web-based artificial life, and the history of artificial life.
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Tim Taylor

artificial life, open-ended evolution, artificial intelligence and other crazy ideas

Latest news
Second Edition of Author-Formatted Version of Rise of the Self-Replicators

I am pleased to announce that a second edition of the author-formatted version of our book Rise of the Self-Replicators is now available for free download and to read online!

This new edition includes the 2024 afterword (which was published as a paper in the Artificial Life journal earlier this year) as an additional chapter.

10 Oct 2024

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Featured publication
The first journal paper on our work using agent-based models to study bee pollination systems

Competition and pollen wars: Simulations reveal the dynamics of competition mediated through heterospecific pollen transfer by non-flower constant insects (2021). Our agent-based model of bee pollination dynamics reveals a novel mechanism whereby heterospecific pollen transfer may benefit the pollen producer.

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Featured publication
One of my favourite papers that received relatively little attention

Redrawing the Boundary between Organism and Environment (2004). I describe a biosemiotics-inspired approach to modelling the evolution of sensing, action and behaviour in computational systems. The paper received very positive comments from the reviewers, but hasn't made much of an impact in the years that followed. I'll soon be embarking on some new experimental work based upon these ideas!

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Featured publication
My latest thoughts on the concept of open-ended evolution

Evolutionary Innovations and Where to Find Them: Routes to Open-Ended Evolution in Natural and Artificial Systems (2019). An analysis of the general design requirements for open-ended creativity in evolutionary systems.

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Other recent news
Discussing Open-Endedness and Open-Ended Evolution with Ken Stanley

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of having a deep-dive discussion with Ken Stanley on the topics of open-endedness and open-ended evolution in AI and ALife systems. The discussion was hosted by Tom Barbalet on his Last Monkey Standing YouTube channel.

08 Aug 2024

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