Can AI Ever Be Conscious? Machine Phenomenology, Ethics of AI & the Future of Mind | Susan Schneider

Can AI ever be conscious?Philosopher and cognitive scientist Professor Susan Schneider joins Tevin to explore one of the most urgent questions in philosophy of mind, AI ethics, neuroscience, and the future of intelligence.Schneider is the former NASA Chair of Astrobiology & AI, author of Artificial You, and creator of multiple proposed tests for machine consciousness - including ACT (the AI Consciousness Test), Spectral Phi, and The Chip Test.This conversation dives into:• What consciousness is• Whether large language models could ever have inner experience• Why simulated emotions may be misleading• Quantum Darwinism & the “decoherence dance”• Moral status for artificial minds• The future of AI ethics, agency & existential risk• Why consciousness might be a “dual-use technology”A must-watch episode for anyone interested in consciousness, AI safety, philosophy, neuroscience, or quantum theories of mind.TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) – Intro & opening(0:06) – Defining consciousness: felt quality of experience (1:47) – Science of consciousness: neuroscience, information processing, meditation (2:57) – AI consciousness: global workspace & early systems (3:10) – Could AI have “something it’s like to be”? (28:52) – Early machine phenomenology & simulated emotion (29:41) – Language as a non-biological intelligence substrate (31:01) – Dissociating self, consciousness, agency (39:25) – Organoid consciousness & macro-conscious systems (40:29) – Introducing ACT: The AI Consciousness Test (42:31) – Philosophical probing: Mary, Freaky Friday, altered states (45:39) – Can ACT work on biological intelligence or hybrid systems? (46:47) – The Chip Test: repairing consciousness with implants (49:00) – Spectral Phi explained: coherence, information flow, consciousness (50:06) – Penrose, retrocausality & quantum metaphysics (57:09) – Quantum Darwinism & the decoherence dance (59:07) – Why GPT is not conscious (quantum argument) (1:00:09) – Does the universe have purpose? Panpsychism vs physics (1:07:17) – Moral status for conscious machines? (1:27:26) – Consciousness as dual-use technology: existential risksEPISODE LINKS:- Susan's Website: https://schneiderwebsite.com/- Susan's Publications: https://philpeople.org/profiles/susan-schneider- Susan's X: https://twitter.com/DrSueSchneider- Susan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-schneider-29b972ab/- Center For The Future of AI, Mind & Society (AIMS): https://www.fau.edu/future-mind/CONNECT:- Website: https://mindbodysolution.org - YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MindBodySolution- Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/mindbodysolution- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtevinnaidu- Facebook: https://facebook.com/drtevinnaidu - Instagram: https://instagram.com/drtevinnaidu- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drtevinnaidu- Website: https://tevinnaidu.com=============================Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational purposes only. The content is shared in the spirit of open discourse and does not constitute, nor does it substitute, professional or medical advice. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of listening/watching any of our contents. You acknowledge that you use the information provided at your own risk. Listeners/viewers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with their own experts in the respective fields.