Which Consciousness Can Be Artificialized? Local Percept-Perceiver Phenomenon for the Existence of Machine Consciousness
Artificial General Intelligence January 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-00800-8_20 via Springer Nature
Summary
A new mathematical model called the local percept-perceiver phenomenon formalizes observations from neuroscientific theories of consciousness. Using set theory, the model is applied to artificial systems, and the existence of machine consciousness is proved within Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory. The work argues that a reductionist form of epistemic consciousness is possible in machines.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Machine consciousness can be proved to exist using Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory within the local percept-perceiver paradigm. |
Abstract
This paper presents a novel paradigm of the local percept-perceiver phenomenon to formalise certain observations in neuroscientific theories of consciousness. Using this model, a set-theoretic formalism is developed for artificial systems, and the existence of machine consciousness is proved by invoking Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory. The article argues for the possibility of a reductionist form of epistemic consciousness within machines.