The Moral Significance of the Phenomenology of Phenomenal Consciousness in Case of Artificial Agents.

The paper argues that the phenomenology of phenomenal consciousness—the subjective, qualitative character of experience—carries moral weight when considering artificial agents. It contends that if an artificial agent possesses phenomenal consciousness, its experiences matter morally, and the nature of that consciousness influences how it should be treated. The work explores the philosophical implications of attributing consciousness to AI, suggesting that the presence or absence of subjective experience is a key factor in determining moral status. The authors do not assert that current AI systems are conscious but examine the theoretical conditions under which they might be, and what that would mean for ethical obligations.

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Abstract

The Moral Significance of the Phenomenology of Phenomenal Consciousness in Case of Artificial Agents.