Navigating the Hard Problem of Machine Consciousness in the Age of Artificial General Intelligence
Advances in Computational Intelligence and Robotics December 12, 2025 Soumi Ghosh, Ritik Raj
Advanced AI systems have sparked philosophical and scientific debate about machine consciousness. This theoretical paper reviews Integrated Information Theory, Global Workspace Theory, and Higher-Order Thought Theory, identifying gaps between behavioral competence and phenomenal experience. A multidimensional framework beyond the Turing Test is proposed. Current AI lacks unified information integration, temporal self-continuity, and self-purpose intention necessary for consciousness. A taxonomy of consciousness indicators is suggested, along with research gaps requiring interdisciplinary work. The authors conclude that achieving machine consciousness requires architectural creativity, not merely scaling existing systems.