Preliminaries to artificial consciousness: A multidimensional heuristic approach.
Kathinka Evers, Michele Farisco, R Chatila, B D Earp, I T Freire, F Hamker, E Nemeth, P F M J Verschure, M Khamassi
Physics of Life Reviews March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2025.01.002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 7 |
| Key points | Proposes that a composite, multilevel, and multidimensional model of consciousness can guide artificial consciousness research by avoiding binary thinking and providing a structured basis for testable hypotheses. |
Abstract
The pursuit of artificial consciousness requires conceptual clarity to navigate its theoretical and empirical challenges. This paper introduces a composite, multilevel, and multidimensional model of consciousness as a heuristic framework to guide research in this field. Consciousness is treated as a complex phenomenon, with distinct constituents and dimensions that can be operationalized for study and for evaluating their replication. We argue that this model provides a balanced approach to artificial consciousness research by avoiding binary thinking (e.g., conscious vs. non-conscious) and offering a structured basis for testable hypotheses. To illustrate its utility, we focus on "awareness" as a case study, demonstrating how specific dimensions of consciousness can be pragmatically analyzed and targeted for potential artificial instantiation. By breaking down the conceptual intricacies of consciousness and aligning them with practical research goals, this paper lays the groundwork for a robust strategy to advance the scientific and technical understanding of artificial consciousness.