Christopher Langton

Also known as Christopher G. Langton, Chris Langton

Christopher Langton is a computer scientist whose cellular automata and self-replicating systems helped shape artificial life. In 1984, he published work on a self-replicating loop built in cellular automata. He organized the first Artificial Life workshop at Los Alamos in 1987 and described the field as a way to build lifelike systems in software. He organized further workshops in 1990 and 1992 and edited Artificial Life: An Overview in 1995. As of October 2026, he is a member of the Santa Fe Institute’s External Faculty.

Now at: Santa Fe Institute
Works: 50
Citations: 6,972
h-index: 13

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 19 October 2026.

Timeline

1984

Self-reproduction in cellular automata

In 1984, he publishes “Self-reproduction in cellular automata,” describing a two-dimensional, eight-state loop with 86 cells and instructions for self-replication.
By 1987

An artificial world on Apple II

In 1987, he holds a new research position at Los Alamos; as a University of Arizona senior, he writes about cultural evolution and builds his first artificial world on an Apple II.
1987

The first Artificial Life workshop

At Los Alamos, he organizes the first Artificial Life workshop and presents the field as a way to create lifelike systems through software.
1990–1992

Later Artificial Life workshops

He serves as principal organizer of the Artificial Life workshops held in 1990 and 1992.
1995

Editing Artificial Life

He edits Artificial Life: An Overview, an MIT Press volume published in 1995.
As of October 2026

SFI External Faculty

As of October 2026, he is a member of the External Faculty of the Santa Fe Institute.