# Intrinsic motivation as constrained entropy maximization

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.02962 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.02962/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 5 Feb 2025.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Intuition emerges in Maximum Caliber models at criticality](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2508.06477/) (2025)
- [Belief-Based Maximum Occupancy Principle and Active Inference](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.39342/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

"Intrinsic motivation" refers to the capacity for intelligent systems to be motivated endogenously, i.e. by features of agential architecture itself rather than by learned associations between action and reward. This paper views active inference, empowerment, and other formal accounts of intrinsic motivation as variations on the theme of constrained maximum entropy inference, providing a general perspective on intrinsic motivation complementary to existing frameworks. The connection between free energy and empowerment noted in previous literature is further explored, and it is argued that the maximum-occupancy approach in practice incorporates an implicit model-evidence constraint.