Can a Computer with Information Processing Become a Mind?

Can a computer with information processing capabilities develop a mind? This question relates to functionalism, which suggests that as long as the right inputs and outputs occur, a mind can emerge regardless of the material conditions. However, Searle disagrees and poses an absurd scenario of building a computer out of beer cans and windmills. He argues that certain material conditions are necessary for the emergence of a mind. This discussion touches on the concept of substrate dependence.