Exploring Philosophical Questions About AI Consciousness

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The discussion delves into essential philosophical questions about AI consciousness starting with why AI would be considered conscious when intelligence and consciousness are distinct. The uncertainty of what factors contribute to an AI system having consciousness is highlighted. The conversation broadens to encompass ethical and moral considerations surrounding AI systems that exhibit consciousness or create the illusion of consciousness, emphasizing the imminent societal and technological challenges across various realms such as non-human animals, newborn infants, individuals with brain damage, and emerging neurotechnologies.

Will AI ever start to think by itself? If it did, how would we know, and what would it mean?

In this episode, Dr. Anil Seth and Aza discuss the science, ethics, and incentives of artificial consciousness. Seth is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex and the author of Being You: A New Science of Consciousness.

Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

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