Sentience, emergence in neurobiological systems, and the prospects for artificial consciousness
Behavioral and Brain Sciences 2026 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x25103555 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that discussions of "artificial consciousness" must distinguish sentience from consciousness, that the physical substrate of a complex system is critical for sentience to emerge, and that Emergence in Systems Theory can help explain consciousness in animals and clarify whether "artificial consciousness" could exist. |
Abstract
Abstract In this commentary, we focus on three interrelated issues of particular importance for determining the possibility of “artificial consciousness”: 1) the distinctions between sentience and consciousness, 2) why the physical substrate of a complex system is critical for the emergence of sentience, and 3) how Emergence in Systems Theory helps explain consciousness in animals and whether “artificial consciousness” could exist.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Phenomenal Consciousness and Emergence: Eliminating the Explanatory Gap. Frontiers in Psychology 2020
- Multiple Routes to Animal Consciousness: Constrained Multiple Realizability Rather Than Modest Identity Theory. Frontiers in Psychology September 24, 2021
- The Ancient Origins of Consciousness March 25, 2016