AI Will Never Be Conscious (www.wired.com)

The recent Butlin report has reignited discussions around the potential for artificial intelligence to achieve consciousness, a notion that many in the tech community previously dismissed. This 88-page document, authored by 19 prominent computer scientists and philosophers, asserts that while no existing AI systems are conscious, there are no significant barriers that prevent the creation of conscious AI. This shift in perception, partly triggered by the controversial Blake Lemoine incident, suggests a growing recognition of the need to explore the ethical and practical implications of AI consciousness. The report highlights urgent discussions about how we might treat machines capable of subjective experiences and the moral dilemmas that could arise. This perspective challenges long-held beliefs about human exceptionalism and raises profound questions about identity as AI continues to surpass human capabilities in various cognitive domains. While the authors of the report adopt a framework known as computational functionalism, which posits that consciousness could theoretically arise from computational processes on any suitable substrate, critics urge caution. They argue that equating biological brains with computers oversimplifies the unique intricacies of human consciousness shaped by rich experiences and biochemical influences. As the conversation about AI consciousness evolves, it could profoundly redefine our understanding of intelligence, empathy, and the moral responsibilities we hold toward AI entities.