Characterize evolutionary dynamics in computational systems relative to biological evolution

Characterize the kinds of evolutionary dynamics that arise in computational substrates of interacting, self-modifying programs, and determine whether those dynamics resemble biological evolution or manifest significant differences, using comparative analysis of replicator behavior, adaptation, and ecosystem-level phenomena.

Background

The paper documents ecosystem-like behaviors and multi-stage transitions in several computational substrates, including competition among replicators, parasitism, and successive takeovers by more capable variants. These phenomena invite comparison to biological evolution.

The authors highlight the need to determine whether the observed computational evolutionary dynamics align with biological mechanisms or exhibit distinct patterns, structures, or constraints.