arXiv:2603.07369v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: How does the brain optimize sensory information for decision-making in new tasks? One hypothesis suggests learning reduces redundancy in neural representations to improve efficiency, while another, based on Bayesian inference, predicts learning increases redundancy by distributing information across neurons. We tested these hypotheses by tracking population responses in macaque cortical area V4 as monkeys learned visual discrimination tasks. We found strong support for the Bayesian predictions: task learning increased redundancy in neural responses over weeks of training and within single trials. This redundancy did not reduce information but instead increased the information carried by individual neurons. These insights suggest sensory processing in the brain reflects a generative rather than discriminative inference process.

arXiv:2603.07890v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: We propose image segmentation as a visual diagnostic testbed for coalition formation in hedonic games. Modeling pixels as agents on a graph, we study how a granularization parameter shapes equilibrium fragmentation and boundary structure. On the Weizmann single-object benchmark, we relate multi-coalition equilibria to binary protocols by measuring whether the converged coalitions overlap with a foreground ground-truth. We observe transitions from cohesive to fragmented yet recoverable equilibria, and finally to intrinsic failure under excessive fragmentation. Our core contribution links multi-agent systems with image segmentation by quantifying the impact of mechanism design parameters on equilibrium structures.