Consciousness, Machines, and Ethics
Jim Davies
Proceedings September 22, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/proceedings2022081040 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Consciousness Artificial intelligence Artificial general intelligence Artificial superintelligence Machine ethics |
| Key points | Argues that the ethical implications of machine consciousness are so significant that the best course is to avoid creating conscious machines until the issue is better understood, though understanding may require building them. |
Abstract
The field of consciousness displays a striking lack of consensus on many important issues, one of which is the possibility of consciousness in machines and software. However, consciousness in machines has dramatic ethical implications, regardless of which ethical framework is used. This suggests that the best course of action would be to try not to create conscious machines until we better understand the issue. However, understanding machine consciousness without building it might not be possible.
Citations in the library
Cites 4
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- Conscious Processing and the Global Neuronal Workspace Hypothesis. Neuron March 1, 2020
- From the Phenomenology to the Mechanisms of Consciousness: Integrated Information Theory 3.0 PLoS Comput. Biol. May 1, 2014
- Consciousness and its function. Neuropsychologia February 12, 2008