Dynamics and information processing in adaptive systems

An adaptive system is capable of functioning despite some degree of environmental uncertainty. This requires an ability to identify relevant states of the environment, to adjust the value of internal variables so as to maintain a characteristic pattern of activity and, of course, to respond appropriately to environmental stimuli. Biological systems have responded to this challenge by developing information processing systems that are highly compatible with their functions. In this paper we analyze the relationship between dynamics and information processing in biological systems and refer to basic principles of biological information processing. An important trend that can be observed is that the specialization of information processing functions increases with the complexity of the environment faced by the systems. At the level of human populations, man-made organizations in particular, our study suggests that the design of computer-based information systems must be sensitive to the existing biological infrastructure if they are to effectively extend the cognitive and computational capabilities of organizations.