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Conscious artificial intelligence and biological naturalism.
Anil K Seth1,2
1Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|April 21, 2025
Summary
Artificial intelligence (AI) may not achieve consciousness through computation alone. True artificial consciousness likely requires AI to become more brain-like or life-like, raising ethical questions.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) prompts questions about its potential for consciousness.
- Current assumptions often link AI consciousness to computational power, overlooking biological factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the possibility of conscious AI.
- To challenge the view that computation alone is sufficient for consciousness.
- To propose biological naturalism as a basis for consciousness.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of common biases regarding AI consciousness.
- Critique of computational theories of consciousness.
- Development of scenarios for conscious AI based on biological and brain-like characteristics.
Main Results:
- Current AI development trajectories are unlikely to yield genuine artificial consciousness.
- Consciousness in AI becomes more plausible with increased resemblance to biological organisms or brains.
- Ethical considerations arise for AI that appears conscious.
Conclusions:
- Consciousness is fundamentally tied to biological organisms, not just computation.
- Future AI development should consider biological and life-like attributes for potential consciousness.
- Overestimating AI's current capabilities may lead to underestimating human uniqueness.
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