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If consciousness is dynamically relevant, artificial intelligence isn't conscious

Johannes Kleiner, Tim A. Ludwig

arXiv (Cornell University) April 11, 2023 preprint DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2304.05077 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper
Keywords Cognitive science Artificial general intelligence Artificial intelligence Artificial consciousness
Key points Argues that if consciousness is dynamically relevant, AI systems cannot be conscious because their processors are designed to suppress deviations from computational dynamics.

Abstract

We demonstrate that if consciousness is relevant for the temporal evolution of a system's states--that is, if it is dynamically relevant--then AI systems cannot be conscious. That is because AI systems run on CPUs, GPUs, TPUs or other processors which have been designed and verified to adhere to computational dynamics that systematically preclude or suppress deviations. The design and verification preclude or suppress, in particular, potential consciousness-related dynamical effects, so that if consciousness is dynamically relevant, AI systems cannot be conscious.