The Hard Problem of Consciousness: Integrated Information Theory vs. Global Neuronal Workspace
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) April 10, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19502335 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Workspace Consciousness Integrated information theory Information integration Test biology Artificial intelligence Cognitive science Artificial neural network Human–computer interaction Information processing |
| Key points | Argues that recent adversarial collaboration results testing IIT and GNW theories show evidence for conscious activity in posterior versus frontal regions, but the philosophical 'hard problem' of consciousness remains unresolved. |
Abstract
The search for the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) is currently dominated by two competing paradigms: Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Global Neuronal Workspace (GNW). This paper analyzes the recent 'adversarial collaboration' results that test these theories' predictions regarding the anatomical location and timing of conscious activity. We discuss the implications of finding evidence in posterior vs. frontal regions and the philosophical 'hard problem' that persists despite neuroscientific progress
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