ASIMOV's episodic memory module, the Feature Association Matrix (FAM), is modeled on the architecture and functions of the hippocampus, a brain region essential for learning and memory. The FAM allows ASIMOV to encode and recall spatial and temporal contexts of past events and experiences, enabling it to learn from past experiences, make decisions, and navigate its environment more efficiently.
The AI was named ASIMOV in honor of Isaac Asimov, a science fiction writer who explored the safety concerns and ethics of robotics in human society. The researchers wanted to pay tribute to Asimov's contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and his vision of a future where robots and humans coexist.
Episodic memory provides AI with the ability to recall and mentally re-experience specific events from the past, enabling more flexible learning and adaptation from interactions. This enhances AI systems' ability to learn from past mistakes, improve over time, and better understand and respond to their environment.