--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Prediction is not just one of the things…" description: "\"Prediction is not just one of the things your brain does. It is the primary function of the neo-cortex, and the foundation of intelligence.\" — Jeff Haw..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jeff-hawkins-23542_brain_prediction-is-not-just-one-of-the-things_1167255.png" --- # Prediction is not just one of the things your brain does… ![“Prediction is not just one of the things your brain does. It is the primary function of the neo-cortex, and the foundation of intelligence.” quote by Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jeff-hawkins-23542_brain_prediction-is-not-just-one-of-the-things_1167255.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jeff-hawkins-23542_brain_prediction-is-not-just-one-of-the-things_1167255.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a1/jeff-hawkins-23542_brain_prediction-is-not-just-one-of-the-things_1167255.png) > “Prediction is not just one of the things your brain does. It is the primary function of the neo-cortex, and the foundation of intelligence.” [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The neo‑cortex’s main role is to predict incoming information, forming the basis of intelligent behavior. **In simple terms:** Prediction drives intelligence. Key Takeaway Focus on building predictive models. Themes cognition learning prediction Mood curious analytical Type scientific educational When to use this quote - AI development - education - decision making - risk assessment Key Concepts Neuroscience predictive coding Questions to Reflect On - How can we improve predictive accuracy? - What limits our brain’s predictive capacity? A Different Perspective Prediction alone cannot guarantee accuracy without data. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Foundation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Just one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-one/) [Neo Cortex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neo-cortex-1563111/) [Prediction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prediction/) [Prediction Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prediction-just-1958456/) [Predictions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predictions/) [Things Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-brain-2141614/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [They believed that prediction was just a function of keeping track of things. If you knew enough, you could predict anything. That's been cherished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/they-believed-that-prediction-was-just-a-function-of-keeping-track-of/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Prediction just means you saw where the world might be going: ho-hum. Influence, though - ah. Influence, direct and acknowledged, means you actually steered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sloan/prediction-just-means-you-saw-where-the-world-might-be-going-ho-hum/) [Robin Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sloan/) > [It is the ability to make predictions about the future that is the crux of intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/it-is-the-ability-to-make-predictions-about-the-future-that-is-the/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [“Imagining you are going to die is all part of that third brain… the neo-cortex. That’s where the Landlord really screwed up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-finney/imagining-you-are-going-to-die-is-all-part-of-that-third-brain-the/) [Richard Finney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-finney/) > [You stimulate the neo-cortex, it produces a symphony. But it's not just a symphony of perception. It's a symphony of your universe. Your reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-markram/you-stimulate-the-neo-cortex-it-produces-a-symphony-but-it-s-not-just/) [Henry Markram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-markram/) > [I never said I will stand, I said I hoped to stand. It wasn't a prediction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/i-never-said-i-will-stand-i-said-i-hoped-to-stand-it-wasn-t-a/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [I think science fiction is very bad at prediction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/china-mi-ville/i-think-science-fiction-is-very-bad-at-prediction/) [China Mieville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/china-mi-ville/) > [Prediction, not narration, is the real test of our understanding of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/prediction-not-narration-is-the-real-test-of-our-understanding-of-the/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yogi-berra/it-s-tough-to-make-predictions-especially-about-the-future/) [Yogi Berra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yogi-berra/) > [Predictions are uttered by prophets (free of charge); by clairvoyants (who usually charge a fee, and are therefore more honored in their day than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/predictions-are-uttered-by-prophets-free-of-charge-by-clairvoyants/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [Whatever happens, happens. I can't give you a prediction because Jim (Irsay) and I will sit down at some point and he'll get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-manning/whatever-happens-happens-i-can-t-give-you-a-prediction-because-jim/) [Peyton Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-manning/) > [Perhaps the safest prediction we can make about the future is that it will surprise us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-leonard/perhaps-the-safest-prediction-we-can-make-about-the-future-is-that-it/) [George Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-leonard/) > [It is not predictions but plans that make the future. If you want predictions, it is because you do not have the ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/it-is-not-predictions-but-plans-that-make-the-future-if-you-want/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) > [I'm going to make a prediction - it could go either way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-atkinson/i-m-going-to-make-a-prediction-it-could-go-either-way/) [Ron Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-atkinson/) > [The one prediction that never comes true is, 'You'll thank me for telling you this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-martin/the-one-prediction-that-never-comes-true-is-you-ll-thank-me-for/) [Judith Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-martin/) ## More by Jeff Hawkins > [Your perception of the world is ... really a fabrication of your model of the world. You don't really see light or sound. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/your-perception-of-the-world-is-really-a-fabrication-of-your-model-of/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [I do two things. I design mobile computers and I study brains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/i-do-two-things-i-design-mobile-computers-and-i-study-brains/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [At times in the past, the U.S. did not restrict the number of immigrants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/at-times-in-the-past-the-u-s-did-not-restrict-the-number-of-immigrants/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > ['Dream Act' kids are like all other American kids, with the exception that they have to work harder to excel in school, they live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/dream-act-kids-are-like-all-other-american-kids-with-the-exception/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [You can't imagine how much detail we know about brains. There were 28,000 people who went to the neuroscience conference this year, and every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/you-can-t-imagine-how-much-detail-we-know-about-brains-there-were-28/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [You know what, we don't know diddley squat about brains and no one has a clue how these things work, so don't believe what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/you-know-what-we-don-t-know-diddley-squat-about-brains-and-no-one-has/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [The key to artificial intelligence has always been the representation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/the-key-to-artificial-intelligence-has-always-been-the-representation/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [You and I are streaming data engines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/you-and-i-are-streaming-data-engines/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [If you look at the history of big obstacles in understanding our world, there's usually an intuitive assumption underlying them that's wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/if-you-look-at-the-history-of-big-obstacles-in-understanding-our/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [In grade school I was taught that the United States is a melting pot. People from all over the world come here for freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/in-grade-school-i-was-taught-that-the-united-states-is-a-melting-pot/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [Whatever the difference between brilliant and average brains, we are all creative. And through practice and study we can enhance our skills and talents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/whatever-the-difference-between-brilliant-and-average-brains-we-are/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [Complexity is not a cause of confusion. It is a result of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/complexity-is-not-a-cause-of-confusion-it-is-a-result-of-it/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [“The neocortex is not like a computer, parallel or otherwise. Instead of computing answers to problems the neocortex uses stored memories to solve problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/the-neocortex-is-not-like-a-computer-parallel-or-otherwise-instead-of/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [“the cortex uses the same computational tool to accomplish everything it does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/the-cortex-uses-the-same-computational-tool-to-accomplish-everything/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [It is the ability to make predictions about the future that is the crux of intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/it-is-the-ability-to-make-predictions-about-the-future-that-is-the/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) [Explore all 25 Jeff Hawkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) ## More Brain quotes > [The brain abhors discrepancies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/the-brain-abhors-discrepancies/) [Vilayanur S. Ramachandran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/) > [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [down with ought with because with every brain that thinks it thinks nor dares to feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/down-with-ought-with-because-with-every-brain-that-thinks-it-thinks/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [I prefer the word 'musician.' I'm a musician and a composer. I have a problem with the word 'artist.' I don't know if it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-prefer-the-word-musician-i-m-a-musician-and-a-composer-i-have-a/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [Thinking of sex provides enough mental stimulation to reduce risk of diseases that damage the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/thinking-of-sex-provides-enough-mental-stimulation-to-reduce-risk-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My writing routine is: get son off to school and sit down at 8 A.M. I read what I wrote the day before, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/my-writing-routine-is-get-son-off-to-school-and-sit-down-at-8-a-m-i/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/) [Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/) > [Without illusions. I love you because you are fallible and because your poor misguided testosterone-corrupted brain has you doing cartwheels trying not to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/without-illusions-i-love-you-because-you-are-fallible-and-because/) [Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/) > [being asked to decide between your passion for work and your passion for children was like being asked by your doctor whether you preferred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-bevington/being-asked-to-decide-between-your-passion-for-work-and-your-passion/) [Helen Bevington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-bevington/) > [I was told I had brain damage. I always knew it was an unfair label. Now I have a clearer understanding of what's wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-boyle/i-was-told-i-had-brain-damage-i-always-knew-it-was-an-unfair-label/) [Susan Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-boyle/) > [The act of learning to read added an entirely new circuit to our hominid brain's repertoire. The long developmental process of learning to read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryanne-wolf/the-act-of-learning-to-read-added-an-entirely-new-circuit-to-our/) [Maryanne Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryanne-wolf/) > [I can't let fear kill my creative brain. Fear is the killer. Your bad choices come from fear. And I'm constantly combating fear. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-can-t-let-fear-kill-my-creative-brain-fear-is-the-killer-your-bad/) [Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/) > [I am the way I am. If you like me because I'm glamorous, so be it. 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