Conscious artificial intelligence and biological naturalism
April 22, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/tz6an_v2 via OpenAlex
Summary
Consciousness in artificial intelligence is unlikely under current approaches because computation alone is insufficient for conscious experience. Consciousness depends on our nature as living organisms—a form of biological naturalism. Real artificial consciousness becomes more plausible only as AI becomes more brain-like or life-like. Ethical considerations arise from AI that either is or convincingly appears to be conscious. Overestimating machines risks underestimating ourselves.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Consciousness depends on our nature as living organisms, making real artificial consciousness unlikely along current AI trajectories. |
Abstract
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, it is natural to ask whether AI systems can be not only intelligent, but also conscious. I consider why people might think AI could develop consciousness, identifying some biases that lead us astray. I ask what it would take for conscious AI to be a realistic prospect, challenging the assumption that computation provides a sufficient basis for consciousness. I’ll instead make the case that consciousness depends on our nature as living organisms – a form of biological naturalism. I lay out a range of scenarios for conscious AI, concluding that real artificial consciousness is unlikely along current trajectories, but becomes more plausible as AI becomes more brain-like and/or life-like. I finish by exploring ethical considerations arising from AI that either is, or convincingly appears to be, conscious. If we sell our minds too cheaply to our machine creations, we not only overestimate them – we underestimate our selves.