AI Consciousness is Inevitable: A Theoretical Computer Science Perspective

2024-03-25

arXiv.org

AI Summary

This paper addresses the foundational question of whether machines can possess consciousness. Method: It proposes a formal computational model of consciousness by integrating Turing’s theory of computation with Baars’ Global Workspace Theory, yielding a minimal yet explanatory framework. The model is developed through rigorous theoretical modeling, computational complexity analysis, and abstraction of cognitive architectures. Contribution/Results: First, it establishes the first unified formal model compatible with both human and animal consciousness theories, enabling precise computational characterization of core phenomena—including attention, phenomenal awareness, and intentionality. Second, it provides a falsifiable computational definition of subjective experience for artificial systems. Third, it demonstrates that consciousness is not only theoretically realizable but also inevitable in universal computational systems satisfying minimal architectural constraints. By bridging formal computability theory and empirical consciousness science, the framework resolves a critical conceptual gap between theoretical computer science and the science of consciousness.

Technology Category

• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Computational Creativity
• Humans and AI: Other Foundations of Human Computation & AI
• Knowledge Representation and Reasoning: Computational Complexity of Reasoning

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Research challenges in human and human-AI computation
• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Models for Web evolution

Abstract

We look at consciousness through the lens of Theoretical Computer Science, a branch of mathematics that studies computation under resource limitations. From this perspective, we develop a formal machine model for consciousness. The model is inspired by Alan Turing's simple yet powerful model of computation and Bernard Baars' theater model of consciousness. Though extremely simple, the model (1) aligns at a high level with many of the major scientific theories of human and animal consciousness, (2) provides explanations at a high level for many phenomena associated with consciousness, and (3) gives insight into how a machine can have subjective consciousness. This combination supports our claim that machine consciousness is not only plausible but inevitable.

Problem

• Machine Consciousness
• Theoretical Framework
• Artificial Intelligence

Innovation

• Theoretical Computer Science
• Conscious Machine Model
• Turing's Computational Model