# Self-Replicating Neural Programs

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2109.12786 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.12786/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 3 of its 18 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 27 Sep 2021.

## Builds on (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Adam: A Method for Stochastic Optimization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1412.6980/) (2014)
- [Neural Network Quine](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1803.05859/) (2018)
- [Evolutionary Self-Replication as a Mechanism for Producing Artificial Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.08057/) (2021)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In this work, a neural network is trained to replicate the code that trains it using only its own output as input. A paradigm for evolutionary self-replication in neural programs is introduced, where program parameters are mutated, and the ability for the program to more efficiently train itself leads to greater reproductive success. This evolutionary paradigm is demonstrated to produce more efficient learning in organisms from a setting without any explicit guidance, solely based on natural selection favoring organisms with faster reproductive maturity.