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Abstract

The critical state is assumed to be optimal for any computation in recurrent neural networks,
because criticality maximizes a number of abstract computational properties. We challenge
this assumption by evaluating the performance of a spiking recurrent neural network on a set
of tasks of varying complexity at - and away from critical network dynamics. To that end, we
developed a plastic spiking network on a neuromorphic chip. We show that the distance to
criticality can be easily adapted by changing the input strength, and then demonstrate a clear
relation between criticality, task-performance and information-theoretic fingerprint. Whereas
the information-theoretic measures all show that network capacity is maximal at criticality,
only the complex tasks profit from criticality, whereas simple tasks suffer. Thereby, we
challenge the general assumption that criticality would be beneficial for any task, and provide
instead an understanding of how the collective network state should be tuned to task
requirement.