A review of neuroscience-inspired frameworks for machine consciousness
Artificial Intelligence in Health June 4, 2025 Seyed-Ali Sadegh-Zadeh, Mahboobe Bahrami
Consciousness in humans arises from interactions among brain structures and neurotransmitter systems. Whether machines could possess consciousness is debated: strong AI equates programmed processes with cognition, while weak AI holds that machines only simulate thought. This review examines neuroscience-inspired frameworks for artificial consciousness, assessing how they align with theories of human consciousness. It explores cognitive functions such as memory, awareness, prediction, learning, and experience in relation to artificial systems. Current AI systems show advanced intelligence but fall short of genuine consciousness as defined in humans. The review discusses theoretical and practical implications of creating artificial consciousness, addresses both weak and strong AI perspectives, and highlights ethical and philosophical concerns.