Learners, students, and researchers working through Active Inference textbooks in a structured group setting.
Structured cohort learning through Active Inference textbooks — 9 cohorts on the 2022 textbook, now live in the first 2026 Fundamentals cohort.
Lead: Daniel Friedman
The Textbook Group is a sustained Institute educational program running structured cohort-based learning through Active Inference textbooks. Since 2022 it has run 9 cohorts on the 2022 textbook 'Active Inference: The Free Energy Principle in Mind, Brain, and Behavior' by Thomas Parr, Giovanni Pezzulo, and Karl J. Friston. As of mid-2026 the group is live in its first cohort on the 2026 textbook 'Fundamentals of Active Inference: Principles, Algorithms, and Applications of the Free Energy Principle for Engineers' by Sanjeev V. Namjoshi.
The Textbook Group brings participants together in structured cohorts to work through Active Inference textbooks with guidance and peer support. Each cohort runs regular sessions with discussion, exercises, and collaborative work through key texts. The project is coordinated by Daniel Friedman.
Since 2022 the Textbook Group has completed 9 cohorts on the 2022 textbook 'Active Inference: The Free Energy Principle in Mind, Brain, and Behavior' (Parr, Pezzulo & Friston). As of mid-2026 it is live in its first cohort on the 2026 textbook 'Fundamentals of Active Inference: Principles, Algorithms, and Applications of the Free Energy Principle for Engineers' (Namjoshi). Recordings and materials from prior cohorts are accessible through the repository and course pages.
Register for upcoming cohorts through the registration form. No prior expertise in Active Inference is required — the group provides structure for participants at all levels.
Textbooks
The Textbook Group works cohort-by-cohort through these Active Inference texts.
Active Inference: The Free Energy Principle in Mind, Brain, and Behavior
9 completed cohorts since 2022
Fundamentals of Active Inference: Principles, Algorithms, and Applications of the Free Energy Principle for Engineers
Current — first cohort live since mid-2026
Key surfaces
Structured learning through Parr, Pezzulo & Friston (2022) since 2022.
Now working through Namjoshi's Fundamentals of Active Inference (2026).
Register for the next cohort through the registration form.
Related resources
Audience: Newcomer
Primary public community channel for conversation, coordination, and newcomer orientation.
Official pages
Audience: Learner
Public Textbook Group shortlink for cohort and learning-group coordination.
Repositories
Audience: Learner
Materials and code for Fundamentals of Active Inference learning work.
Audience: Learner
Active Inference Textbook Group