# A Foundational Theory for Decentralized Sensory Learning

**Authors:** Linus Mårtensson, Jonas M. D. Enander, Udaya B. Rongala, Henrik Jörntell  
**arXiv:** [2503.15130](https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.15130)  
**Date:** 2025-03-19  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2503.15130v1/

## Key points

- Intersection between neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and evolutionary biology
- Theory proposing fundamental principles underlying sensory learning in biological organisms
- Unicellular life forms using problem signals from cellular sensors for survival prioritization and issue-solving
- Intercellular communication in multicellular organisms enabling specialized functionality and problem-solving on a larger scale
- Evolution driving development of electrical signaling for problem propagation across diverse sensors in complex organisms
- Same principles governing sensory learning at unicellular level still relevant in neural tissues of animals today
- Sensory signals as primary value signals crucial for biological learning and brain function
- Theoretical framework grounded in evolutionary insights explaining adaptations across all scales of life
- Potential for advancing interpretations of biological data and informing mental health approaches and understanding of intelligence

## Summary

Our exploration of the intersection between neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and evolutionary biology has led us to propose a theory that sheds light on the fundamental principles underlying sensory learning in biological organisms. We posit that unicellular life forms utilize problem signals from cellular sensors to prioritize and solve issues crucial for survival. This concept seamlessly extends to multicellular organisms where intercellular communication enables specialized functionality and problem-solving on a larger scale. Furthermore, we discuss how evolution may have driven the development of electrical signaling to facilitate problem propagation across diverse sensors within complex organisms. Our analysis suggests that the same principles governing sensory learning at the unicellular level are still at play in neural tissues of animals today. This allows for efficient problem-solving across various modalities and supports numerous experimental neuroscientific observations. It also highlights the critical role of sensory signals as primary value signals necessary for biological learning and brain function. By presenting a theoretical framework grounded in evolutionary insights, we propose a unifying principle that can explain adaptations across all scales of life. This framework not only has potential for advancing interpretations of biological data but also informs approaches to mental health and deepens our understanding of intelligence. We invite collaboration from the broader neuroscientific and cellular biology communities to explore practical experiments that could validate or challenge our proposed theories. It is important to note that Linus Mårtensson, Jonas Enander, Udaya B. Rongala, and Henrik Jörntell are founders of IntuiCell AB - a company dedicated to leveraging novel findings in neuroscience for advancements in artificial intelligence. The research presented in this work has been made possible through investigations conducted at IntuiCell AB.