The people who think AI might become conscious

Pallab Ghosh, a science correspondent, recently explored a fascinating experiment that delves into the nature of human consciousness. He entered a booth filled with strobe lights and music, part of a research project aimed at understanding what makes us truly human. This experience reminded him of the famous science fiction film Bladerunner, where a test is used to differentiate humans from artificial beings. As he participated in the experiment, he wondered if he could be a robot without realizing it and whether he would pass the test. The researchers assured him that the experiment was not about that. Instead, they were using a device called the 'Dreamachine' to study how the human brain creates our conscious experiences of the world. As the strobe lights began to flash, Pallab closed his eyes and saw swirling geometric patterns in vibrant colors, like a kaleidoscope. He described the experience as 'lovely, absolutely lovely. It’s like flying through my own mind! ' The 'Dreamachine' at Sussex University is just one of many research projects worldwide investigating human consciousness, which is the part of our minds that allows us to be self-aware, think, feel, and make independent decisions. By understanding consciousness better, researchers hope to gain insights into what is happening within the silicon brains of artificial intelligence. Some experts believe that AI systems may soon become independently conscious, if they are not already. But what exactly is consciousness, and how close is AI to achieving it? Furthermore, could the belief that AI might be conscious change how humans perceive themselves in the coming decades? The concept of machines possessing their own minds has been a popular theme in science fiction for many years. Concerns about AI date back nearly a century to the film Metropolis, where a robot impersonates a real woman. The fear of machines becoming conscious and posing a threat to humanity is explored in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, where the HAL 9000 computer attacks astronauts aboard its spaceship. More recently, the latest Mission Impossible film features a powerful rogue AI that threatens the world, described by one character as a 'self-aware, self-learning, truth-eating digital parasite. ' Recently, there has been a significant shift in thinking about machine consciousness, as credible voices express concern that this is no longer just a topic for science fiction. This change has been driven by the success of large language models (LLMs), which can be accessed through apps like Gemini and Chat GPT. The ability of these AI systems to engage in plausible, free-flowing conversations has surprised even their creators and leading experts in the field. Some thinkers now believe that as AI becomes more intelligent, it will suddenly become conscious. However, others, like Professor Anil Seth, who leads the Sussex University team, disagree. He describes this view as 'blindly optimistic and driven by human exceptionalism. ' He explains that while we associate consciousness with intelligence and language in humans, it does not necessarily mean that these traits are linked in general, such as in animals. So, what is consciousness? The short answer is that no one really knows. This uncertainty is evident in the lively debates among Professor Seth's team of young AI specialists, computing experts, neuroscientists, and philosophers, who are all trying to tackle one of the biggest questions in science and philosophy. Despite their differing opinions, the scientists share a common approach: breaking down the complex problem of consciousness into smaller, more manageable parts through a series of research projects, including the Dreamachine. Just as scientists in the 19th century abandoned the search for the 'spark of life' in favor of understanding how individual parts of living systems function, the Sussex team is adopting a similar strategy to study consciousness. They are examining the brain to identify patterns of activity that explain various aspects of conscious experiences, such as changes in electrical signals or blood flow to different brain regions. Their goal is to go beyond merely identifying correlations between brain activity and consciousness and to develop explanations for its individual components. Professor Seth, the author of Being You, expresses concern that we may be rushing into a society rapidly transformed by technological advancements without fully understanding the science or considering the consequences. He states, 'We act as if the future has already been written; that there is an inevitable march toward a superhuman replacement. ' He believes that we did not engage in enough discussions about the rise of social media, which has had negative effects on society. However, he emphasizes that with AI, it is not too late to shape our future.