Autoconstructive Evolution

An autoconstructive evolution system is an evolutionary computation system that adaptively constructs its own mechanisms of reproduction and diversification as it runs. Existing autoconstructive evolutions systems are extensions of genetic programming systems in which the programs in the evolving population include not only code for grappling with a target problem, but also code for producing offspring for the next generation. As in biology, the mechanisms of reproduction and diversification are embodied in the individuals themselves, and are therefore subject to variation and selection (and hence evolution).

Autoconstructive evolution was first described in a 2001 conference paper, which was then expanded and published as a 2002 journal article. Recent progress, along with pointers to earlier work, is described in a 2016 workshop paper.