Keith L. Downing

Keith L. Downing is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at NTNU, affiliated with the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. His research focuses on bio-inspired artificial intelligence, including evolutionary algorithms, artificial neural networks, and computational neuroscience. He has authored two MIT Press books: *Intelligence Emerging* (2015) and *Gradient Expectations* (2023). His work bridges AI, artificial life, and cognitive science, emphasizing the emergence of intelligence in both natural and artificial systems.

Teaching responsibilities include Introductory AI, AI Programming, Cognitive Architectures, and Deep Learning courses at NTNU. He also engages in public outreach, such as a 2015 TV appearance on *Schrødingers katt: Kunstig Intelligens*. His research spans predictive neural mechanisms, evolutionary computation, and the societal implications of AI, as seen in his 2014 feature article in *Aftenposten*.

Key publications include foundational work on the Baldwin Effect (2004), neural predictive models (2013), and computational neuroscience (2009). He actively promotes interdisciplinary approaches to AI, blending technical innovation with biological plausibility.