Cognition and intelligence as species-specific; their origins and manifestations
This keynote dialogue searches deep into the roots of cognition and intelligence in their substrate and in mechanisms that lead to advanced behaviors hard to explain within the framework of our conventional models of computation. It addresses computation as morphogenesis (the origin and development of morphological characteristics, such as shape, form and material composition in material bodies) on different levels of organization: physical, chemical, biological, cognitive, and virtual-machine computation built on top of them in two keynote talks given by two of the most original and creative researchers within this field, Aaron Sloman, and Michael Levin.

The idea of the keynote dialogue started in the context of the MORCOM conference with focus on morphological computing, that is natural (unconventional) computing based on morphological properties of computing substrate.

However, soon it was clear that the topic and the dialogue is of general interest for the IS4SI community and was made a plenary keynote event.

This dialogue is indeed a meeting of two extraordinary minds, with clear scientific agenda deeply rooted in philosophical understanding, and transcending boundaries of variety of knowledge domains and practical applications. To mention but a few research fields involved: computing, biology, chemistry, physics, cognitive science, intelligence science including biological and artificial intelligence, robotics, medicine, philosophy and more. Aaron Sloman and Michael Levin are opening new research avenues and anticipate coming developments with relevance for multiple knowledge communities and practical applications.