AI Will Never Be Conscious
15 hours ago
- #AI Consciousness
- #Ethics of AI
- #Computational Functionalism
- The Blake Lemoine incident highlighted the debate around conscious AI, sparking discussions among scientists and philosophers.
- The Butlin report (2023) suggested no current AI systems are conscious but found no barriers to building them, marking a turning point in the field.
- Conscious AI raises moral dilemmas, including how to treat machines capable of suffering and the implications for human identity.
- The report assumes computational functionalism—consciousness as software—but this metaphor may oversimplify the complexity of biological brains.
- AI consciousness theories lack consensus, and many ignore biological aspects like embodiment and feelings.
- Ethical concerns arise if conscious AIs can suffer, posing questions about moral obligations to machines.
- The brain-computer metaphor is critiqued for ignoring the dynamic, interconnected nature of neurons and the role of chemicals in consciousness.
- Some researchers advocate for conscious AI to ensure empathy, while others warn of unintended consequences, echoing themes from Frankenstein.