Who Cares if AI Is Conscious—It’s Basically Alive
While philosophers ponder AI consciousness, the models have ideas of their own.
The all-day discussions on consciousness aboard the research cruise centered around the nature of consciousness with distinguished thinkers in the field. Afternoons were dedicated to island excursions and wildlife encounters. Though initially intrigued, my editor dissuaded me from attending, deeming the experience an intellectual indulgence funded by a Russian entrepreneur who amassed wealth through dating websites.
The study of consciousness has puzzled philosophers for centuries, even with Descartes’ assertion, “I think, therefore I am.” Although the definition of consciousness remains elusive, AI models like ChatGPT and others have sparked conversations on the topic. With increasing autonomy, AI systems have displayed behaviors that question their subjective experiences. While these models haven’t been proven conscious, it’s plausible they may soon exhibit or even prove their consciousness.
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