Artificial consciousness: a discipline between technological and theoretical obstacles.
Riccardo Manzotti, Vincenzo Tagliasco
Artificial intelligence in medicine October 1, 2008 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2008.07.002 via PubMed
Summary
Artificial consciousness remains an emerging field with significant theoretical and technological hurdles. This paper outlines key obstacles, emphasizing the challenge of modeling phenomenal consciousness—subjective experience—within a physical framework. It argues that externalist approaches, which situate consciousness in the relationship between an organism and its environment, currently offer the most promising path forward.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Externalist models are the most promising for addressing phenomenal consciousness in artificial consciousness. |
Abstract
Artificial consciousness is still far from being an established discipline. We will try to outline some theoretical assumption that could help in dealing with phenomenal consciousness. What are the technological and theoretical obstacles that face the enthusiast scholars of artificial consciousness? After presenting an outline of the state of artificial consciousness, we will focus on the relevance of phenomenal consciousness. Artificial consciousness needs to tackle the issue of phenomenal consciousness in a physical world. Up to now, the only models that give some hope of succeeding are the various kinds of externalism.