Rudolf F. Albrecht - Böcker

The papers in this volume present theoretical insights and report practical applications both for neural networks, genetic algorithms and evolutionary computation. In the field of natural computing, swarm optimization, bioinformatics and computational biology contributions are no less compelling. A wide selection of contributions report applications of neural networks to process engineering, robotics and control. Contributions also abound in the field of evolutionary computation particularly in combinatorial and optimization problems. Many papers are dedicated to machine learning and heuristics, hybrid intelligent systems and soft computing applications. Some papers are devoted to quantum computation. In addition, kernel based algorithms, able to solve tasks other than classification, represent a revolution in pattern recognition bridging existing gaps. Further topics are intelligent signal processing and computer vision.

Artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms are both areas of research which have their origins in mathematical models constructed in order to gain understanding of important natural processes. By focusing on the process models rather than the processes themselves, significant new computational techniques have evolved which have found application in a large number of diverse fields. This diversity is reflected in the topics which are the subjects of contributions to this volume. There are contributions reporting theoretical developments in the design of neural networks, and in the management of their teaming. Application areas include speech recognition, control of industrial processes, credit scoring, scheduling, design, combinatorial optimization, financial planning, times series, modeling and parallel implementations. Regarding genetic algorithms, several methodological papers consider how genetic algorithms can be improved using an experimental approach, as well as by hybridizing with other useful techniques such as tabu search. The closely related area of classifier systems also receives a significant amount of coverage, aiming at better ways for their implementation.Further, while there are many contributions which explore ways in which genetic algorithms can be applied to real problems, nearly all involve some understanding of the context in order to apply the genetic algorithm paradigm more successfully. That this can indeed be done is evidenced by the range of applications covered in this volume.

Artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms are both areas of research which have their origins in mathematical models constructed in order to gain understanding of important natural processes. By focusing on the process models rather than the processes themselves, significant new computational techniques have evolved which have found application in a large number of diverse fields. This diversity is reflected in the topics which are the subjects of contributions to this volume. There are contributions reporting successful applications of the technology to the solution of industrial/commercial problems. This may well reflect the maturity of the technology, notably in the sense that "real" users of modelling-prediction techniques are prepared to accept neural networks as a valid paradigm. Thoretical issues also receive attention, especially in connection with the radial basis function neural network. Contributions in the field of genetic algorithms reflect the wide range of curent applications, including, for example, portfolio section, filter design, frequency assignment and tuning of nonlinear PID controllers.These techniques are also used extensively for combinatorial optimization problems.

This is the third in a series of conferences devoted primarily to the theory and applications of artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms. The first such event was held in Innsbruck, Austria, in April 1993, the second in Ales, France, in April 1995. We are pleased to host the 1997 event in the mediaeval city of Norwich, England, and to carryon the fine tradition set by its predecessors of providing a relaxed and stimulating environment for both established and emerging researchers working in these and other, related fields. This series of conferences is unique in recognising the relation between the two main themes of artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms, each having its origin in a natural process fundamental to life on earth, and each now well established as a paradigm fundamental to continuing technological development through the solution of complex, industrial, commercial and financial problems. This is well illustrated in this volume by the numerous applications of both paradigms to new and challenging problems. The third key theme of the series, therefore, is the integration of both technologies, either through the use of the genetic algorithm to construct the most effective network architecture for the problem in hand, or, more recently, the use of neural networks as approximate fitness functions for a genetic algorithm searching for good solutions in an 'incomplete' solution space, i.e. one for which the fitness is not easily established for every possible solution instance.