The question of artificial consciousness is generating a new scientific debate. Although artificial intelligence is increasingly able to imitate some human capabilities, a fundamental question remains unanswered: could a machine ever experience the world subjectively, that is, have its own subjective experiences?
A new study proposes a different approach to this problem. Instead of trying to determine whether current artificial intelligences are conscious — which the researchers consider a premature question —, the study suggests examining what the biological brain can teach about the possibilities of future artificial consciousness.
The researchers argue that, in order to understand whether a machine could be conscious, it is first necessary to understand how consciousness arises in biological systems. The study thus seeks to establish bridges between neuroscience and the development of artificial systems.
This research comes in a context where AI has advanced rapidly in tasks such as language and pattern recognition, but where the question of subjective experience — what philosophers call "qualia" — continues to be a mystery for both science and technology.
