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Ascribing Consciousness to Artificial Intelligence
Resource type
Preprint
Author/contributor
- Shanahan, Murray (Author)
Title
Ascribing Consciousness to Artificial Intelligence
Abstract
This paper critically assesses the anti-functionalist stance on consciousness adopted by certain advocates of integrated information theory (IIT), a corollary of which is that human-level artificial intelligence implemented on conventional computing hardware is necessarily not conscious. The critique draws on variations of a well-known gradual neuronal replacement thought experiment, as well as bringing out tensions in IIT's treatment of self-knowledge. The aim, though, is neither to reject IIT outright nor to champion functionalism in particular. Rather, it is suggested that both ideas have something to offer a scientific understanding of consciousness, as long as they are not dressed up as solutions to illusory metaphysical problems. As for human-level AI, we must await its development before we can decide whether or not to ascribe consciousness to it.
Repository
arXiv
Date
2015
Accessed
3/7/25, 7:11 AM
Library Catalog
DOI.org (Datacite)
Rights
arXiv.org perpetual, non-exclusive license
Extra
Version Number: 2
Citation
Shanahan, M. (2015). Ascribing Consciousness to Artificial Intelligence. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.1504.05696
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