Lilian A. Weber
Osnabrück University
SAB 2026 Workshop · Berlin, Germany · October 2026
Wanting What is Needed
From Homeostatic Control to Adaptive Behavior
A half-day workshop on how internal regulation, bodily needs and viability constraints shape value formation, motivation and adaptive behavior in animals and artificial agents.
Concept
Grounding motivation in internal regulation
Classical reinforcement learning and cognitive models often begin with externally specified rewards. Biological organisms, by contrast, are autonomous learning agents whose behavior is constrained by the need to sustain their own viability. This workshop asks how internal physiological regulation can ground decision-making, value formation and motivated behavior.
We aim to foster a shared interdisciplinary conversation across machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics, neuroscience, biology, physiology, ethology and control theory. The goal is to clarify how homeostatic and allostatic regulation can contribute to adaptive behavior in both biological organisms and artificial agents.
Homeostasis & allostasis
Intrinsic needs
Value formation
Motivated behavior
Embodied robotics
Adaptive agents
Neuroscience & physiology
Control theory
Invited speakers
Confirmed speakers
Lola Cañamero
CY Cergy Paris University
Antonio Damasio (online)
University of Southern California
Program
Tentative half-day schedule
Times are provisional and will be updated once the final SAB 2026 workshop slot and room are confirmed.
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Opening remarks: Concept of the workshop
Naoto Yoshida, Ismael T. Freire, Louis L’Haridon, Lola Cañamero, Mehdi Khamassi and Boris Gutkin
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Invited talk 1: Lilian A. Weber
Osnabrück University · Neuroscience
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
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Invited talk 2: Lola Cañamero
CY Cergy Paris University · AI / Robotics
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
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Lightning talks
Three 5-minute talks selected from extended abstract submissions.
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Break & poster session
Poster presentations from selected contributions.
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Invited talk 3: Antonio Damasio (Online)
University of Southern California · Neuroscience, Cognitive Science and the Future of AI/Robotics.
Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA
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Panel discussion
Panelists: Lilian A. Weber, Lola Cañamero, Antonio Damasio (if possible), and Boris Gutkin.
Panel moderator: Ismael T. Freire.
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Closing remarks
Naoto Yoshida, Ismael T. Freire and Louis L’Haridon.
Call for contributions
Extended abstracts for lightning talks and posters
We welcome published, ongoing and preliminary work that connects internal regulation, homeostasis, allostasis, motivation and adaptive behavior across biological and artificial systems.
Submission format
- Extended abstract, maximum 3 pages for main text
- References, appendix and acknowledgements may be additional
- Springer LNCS style: Style file format
Important dates
- Submission deadline: 5 August 2026
- Notification to authors: 19 August 2026
- Workshop date: 19 October 2026
Organizers
Workshop organizing team
Naoto Yoshida
Kyoto University
Ismael T. Freire
Sorbonne Université
Louis L’Haridon
ENSEA / CNRS
Henning Sprekeler
Technical University of Berlin
Lola Cañamero
CY Cergy Paris Université
Mehdi Khamassi
Sorbonne Université
Boris Gutkin
École Normale Supérieure
Contact
Questions and updates
For questions about the workshop, submissions or program, contact the organizing team.