Hungarian researchers have made an astonishing breakthrough in how we can learn more effectively

Hungarian researchers at the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics and the Max Planck Institute have used artificial intelligence-derived mathematical models to study how memory works, and it seems that surprising experiences play a vital role, helping the brain to constantly update its knowledge of the world.

Hungarian researchers have made an astonishing breakthrough

The mathematical models were used as a tool to document memory errors and understand their function, the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network said in a release on Monday. “Our memory is not infallible, and sometimes we remember things that we could not have experienced,” the press release said.

Memory errors have proven fertile ground for the research as they are repeated regularly. The mathematical principles behind the errors can be explored. This aids an understanding of how errors are generated by various memory optimisation processes, it added.

The study published in the journal Nature Reviews Psychology was headed by Gergő Orbán, a researcher at the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics at the Max Planck Institute in Tubingen, in collaboration with Gergely Dávid Nagy and Charley Wu.

Hungarian researchers breakthrough — Illustration. The Hungarian researchers used the AI. Photo: depositphotos.com

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The brain must retain surprising, unusual experiences

Information theory provides a guideline about what is worth remembering and what can be dispensed with, according to the researchers. This would suggest it’s not worthwhile for the brain to set down memories of rare or unusual experiences. But actually these surprising experiences often leave a deep mark on memory, the research found.

In order to learn effectively, the brain must retain surprising, unusual experiences, the researchers found. Such experiences “help us better understand how the world works,” they said. The point about memorising surprising occurrences is critical for refreshing knowledge and effective planning.

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“Machine learning not only helps researchers predict what is remembered or forgotten, but also provides guidance on learning: when to repeat and when to move on to the next challenge,” the statement said.