Design for Entropy

ENDORSEMENTS “This application of the free energy principle to design and technology is bold and compelling. The author ties together many contemporary threads—from philosophy, theoretical biology, and statistical physics—with remarkable and convincing alacrity.” —Karl J. Friston, Professor, University College London; coauthor of Active Inference “Luca Possati’s Design for Entropy is a timely and deep addition to the growing literature on the free energy principle. This landmark contribution is emblematic of the field’s recent evolution, and exemplifies the key pivot from using the free energy principle as an explanatory lens to wielding it as generative design principle. A delightful and informative read.” —Maxwell J. D. Ramstead, Cofounder, Noumenal Labs; Honorary Research Fellow, University College London “In this fascinating and important monograph, Luca Possati makes innovative use of the free energy principle and active inference to propose a unified framework for making sense of human-technology interactions and of design practices. This is a timely and provocative theory of design in the age of intelligent machines.” —Julian Kiverstein, Senior Researcher at the Lemon Tree Center; Assistant Professor, University of Amsterdam; coauthor of Extended Consciousness and Predicative Processing “Luca Possati’s book provides a commendably novel insight into technology, through the psychological lens of active inference theory, by focusing on how practical inventions and tools are not only developed but also appreciated by their users.” —Michael J. Walker, Professor Emeritus, University of Murcia; coauthor of Early Evolution of Human Memory “Luca Possati’s introduction to the Bayesian brain and active inference is lucid yet welcoming; his concept of design affording an asynchronous encounter of minds between maker and user feels ingenious and timely given AI’s surge in today’s technological moment.” —Héctor Marín Manrique, Professor in Developmental Psychology, University of Zaragoza; coauthor of Early Evolution of Human Memory “Innovative and timely, Design for Entropy offers a fascinating resource for philosophers of technology, cognitive science, and society alike. Anyone intrigued by the long reach of active inference should read this book.” —Stephen Francis Mann, Postdoctoral researcher, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology