In an artificial intelligence system for image recognition, a global image of an object is input from a camera or other optical pick-up device, and is processed in a global image processing means, which performs analytical processing on the global image by extracting global characteristics of the input image and evaluating consistency of the extracted global characteristics. Simultaneously, the image data is processed in a local image processing means which undertakes analytical processing on a plurality of local images defining local portions of the image to be recognized. The local image processing means is constructed by plural modules, each further defined by sub-modules, which conduct respective analyses corresponding to local images having characteristics useful in recognizing the global image, wherein each local processor extracts characteristics of an input local image and evaluates consistency of the extracted characteristic with the object to be recognized. Importantly, the global image processing means receives inputs from the local modules, and deactivates functions of local modules which are inconsistent with the global characteristics, while activating and promoting functions of local modules which are consistent with the global characteristics. Through top-down control from the global image processor, as well as inter-module signals between respective local processing modules, since inconsistent processes are quickly discovered,