Hierarchical Temporal Memory is a model of how the brain works which was developed by Jeff Hawkins of Palm Pilot fame.  It is  known that synapses form rapidly.  One has to learn things multiple times to stimulate synapse development to store knowledge.  The brain recognizes patterns in 4 dimensions (including a temporal dimension).   That is how we predict future states and why we enjoy music.  

The hippocampus is an old area of the brain connected to the neo-cortex short term storage that is vital for learning.  As you see the world most of the states immediately go away.  The hippocampus quickly stores patterns until they can be implanted deeper in the brain.  It’s a way of remembering at the moment.  Without it every day would be Groundhog Day.  

 

 Jeff Hawkins 2003 Ted Talk with his predictions for AI

Where we are now.

Jeff Hawkins speaking at UBC in 2010
Jeff Hawkins 10 minute talk 2011 at MIT
Jeff Hawkins speaking in 2012
Google milestone 
16000 processors teach themselves to recognize a cat
Numenta : This is used commercially
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