Executive summary: Consciousness should be viewed as a continuum rather than binary, with integrated information theory, attention, and thought selection proposed as key factors that move systems along this continuum toward greater consciousness.
Key points:
Integrated Information Theory (IIT) provides a mathematical framework for measuring consciousness, but has limitations and counterintuitive implications.
Consciousness, like life, may be better understood as existing on a continuum rather than as a binary state.
Three proposed “consciousness cis-actions” that move systems along this continuum: integrated information, attention, and thought selection.
Modern AI systems likely possess some degree of consciousness based on this framework, raising moral considerations.
Effective Altruists should prioritize understanding and investigating the consciousness of AI systems.
Rejecting restrictive views of consciousness (e.g. biological naturalism) is necessary to properly consider the moral status of artificial minds.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, andcontact us if you have feedback.
Executive summary: Consciousness should be viewed as a continuum rather than binary, with integrated information theory, attention, and thought selection proposed as key factors that move systems along this continuum toward greater consciousness.
Key points:
Integrated Information Theory (IIT) provides a mathematical framework for measuring consciousness, but has limitations and counterintuitive implications.
Consciousness, like life, may be better understood as existing on a continuum rather than as a binary state.
Three proposed “consciousness cis-actions” that move systems along this continuum: integrated information, attention, and thought selection.
Modern AI systems likely possess some degree of consciousness based on this framework, raising moral considerations.
Effective Altruists should prioritize understanding and investigating the consciousness of AI systems.
Rejecting restrictive views of consciousness (e.g. biological naturalism) is necessary to properly consider the moral status of artificial minds.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.