Conversations with AI

with Valerie Austin

I questioned the topic that is now being debated with some of the finest minds in the world. While AI seems to be galloping forward with little boundaries the question seems quite simple but not so the answer.

My question is, “Do AI machines have consciousness?”

In order to find an answer, we need to know first what consciousness means. So, I asked AI for its up-to-date answer, in real time, as I write this article. Saturday, January 20th, 2024. Here is its contribution:

“That’s an intriguing and complex topic. Consciousness is indeed a challenging concept to define, and the question of whether AI machines can possess it sparks philosophical and scientific debates. While AI systems can exhibit advanced cognitive abilities and simulate human-like behavior, the question of true consciousness remains elusive.”

The AI answer did not satisfy me. In pursuit of answering this question, I sought insights from AI regarding the latest news. However, before delving into the responses, it might be insightful to consider my background and why I feel equipped with answers that some of the world’s scientists may not possess. My father, an esteemed scientist and inventor, created groundbreaking machinery that rescued England’s fabric industry from a potential economic downturn. His invention not only altered the course of history but also averted the industry from bankruptcy. His exceptional intellect played a pivotal role.

In my case, I have and continue to contend with a condition that might offer insights and perspectives on answers that could shed light on questions being posed by the broader scientific community. For further details about my experiences and perspective, you can explore one of the listed links on this site.

So here we go again… There are three types of consciousness:

1. Waking consciousness,
2. Dream consciousness
3. Trance consciousness

However, the attention seems to be focussed on waking consciousness rather than dreams or trance consciousness. For example, can Robots dream or enter a trance state. This would be an interesting issue to discuss and debate. I will be interested in your views.

My Question to AI: What is the latest AI definition of ‘consciousness’?

Answer, verbatim:

“The question of what consciousness is remains a complex and debated topic in philosophy, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence (AI). While there isn’t a definitive answer, recent advancements in AI and neuroscience have led to interesting discussions and approaches.

In AI, researchers are exploring various models and architectures to understand and simulate aspects of consciousness. Neural network models, particularly those inspired by the brain’s architecture, such as recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs), are commonly used in AI applications.

Some researchers are working on integrating symbolic reasoning and symbolic AI with neural networks to create more holistic and human-like systems. Explainable AI (XAI) is another area of focus, aiming to develop AI systems that can provide transparent and understandable explanations for their decisions, which is relevant to the question of consciousness.

Neuroscientific research continues to contribute to our understanding of consciousness. Brain imaging technologies, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), provide insights into the neural correlates of consciousness.

It’s important to note that while AI can simulate certain cognitive functions, achieving true consciousness in machines remains a challenging and philosophical question. The field is dynamic, and ongoing research may lead to new perspectives and breakthroughs in the future.”

We don’t seem to have progressed very far since is still being debated. This sort of debate may never be resolved, Especially as AI points out “….there isn’t a definitive answer”.

Therefore maybe it’s the definition of “Consciousness” itself that it is causing confusion. Since there are so many dictionaries and scholars with their own individual views, it’s not surprising.

I decided to look up the earliest description I could find in the Oxford Dictionary site which was 1605: “The state of being aware of and responsive to one’s surroundings, regarded as the normal condition of waking life”. And then to ask AI

Question to AI: “What is the Oxford dictionary explanation of consciousness?”

Consciousness
1. the state of being aware of and able to think about one’s own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings; the fact of being conscious.
2. the state of being awake and aware of one’s surroundings.
3. a person’s awareness or perception of something.

Since I believe it would be impossible to have consciousness without perception which is my forte (see next page for a rather interesting question).

However, it depends if the meaning changes in the AI world. Then it may not be the real meaning of consciousness but rather the AI explanation. Or maybe they will have to have an AI type of perception. Which of course would not be the same and the question would still be on the table.

I believe I can teach the robot machine to have a small measure of perception with my research that I have collected through the last 30 years. I challenge the AI world to come up with something better without placing a human chip into the Robot machine. However, it would still not be the same as human consciousness as it depends on outside influences and feelings which a robot is devoid of. It would be like trying to explain a bright colour to a person who was born blind.

Another question which is far more direct and can be adjusted with new research:

Question: “Can professors spot an AI response to an exam?”

There has been a challenge to see if professors can spot an AI response to an exam essay. There was some rather interesting research by Kevin Collier in 2023:
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/chatgpt-ai-consciousness-rcna71777

All these independent researches aligns with the idea that as scientists make discoveries and answer questions, new questions inevitably arise, leading to an ongoing process of exploration and inquiry. It’s a bit like when a scientist finds an answer to a question there are a thousand more questions it opens up to be answered.