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Consciousness

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Why Computers Can’t Be Conscious

  • Artificial Intelligence, Consciousness, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Robotics

Is true consciousness in computers a possibility, or merely a fantasy? The article delves into the philosophical and scientific debates surrounding the nature of consciousness and its potential in AI. Explore why modern neuroscience and AI fall short of creating genuine awareness, the limits of current technology, and the profound philosophical questions that challenge our understanding of mind and machine. Discover why the pursuit of conscious machines might be more about myth than reality.

Article by Peter D'Autry
IDEAS IN BRIEF
Why Computers Can’t Be Conscious
  • The article examines why computers, despite advancements, cannot achieve consciousness like humans. It challenges the assumption that mimicking human behavior equates to genuine consciousness.
  • It critiques the reductionist approach of equating neural activity with consciousness and argues that the “hard problem” of consciousness remains unsolved. The piece also discusses the limitations of both neuroscience and AI in addressing this problem.
  • The article disputes the notion that increasing complexity in AI will lead to consciousness, highlighting that understanding and experience cannot be solely derived from computational processes.
  • It emphasizes the importance of physical interaction and the lived experience in consciousness, arguing that AI lacks the embodied context necessary for genuine understanding and consciousness.
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18 min read

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