A Symbiotic Architecture for the Emergence of Artificial Consciousness: A Testable Triadic Framework
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) February 24, 2026 Gabriel Cao di Marco, Francisco Capani
A proposed modular cognitive architecture called the Symbiotic Triadic Architecture (STA) is designed to exhibit functional hallmarks of conscious-like processing without assuming subjective experience. It integrates three subsystems: a neuro-symbolic reasoning module for explainable action selection, a hypothesis management subsystem using Bayesian neural networks for perceptual interpretations under uncertainty, and a narrative episodic memory module for self-modeling and metacognitive calibration. These components are coordinated through a Global Workspace Bus with ethical gating and cryptographic provenance. The paper maps the architecture to existing computational paradigms, identifies five integration challenges with mitigation strategies, and outlines a three-stage implementation roadmap from 2026 to 2031+. It aims to operationalize conditions for studying conscious-like functional properties rather than claiming consciousness.