Volume 16, Number 2
Consciousness in AI Systems: A Review
Authors
Mosladdin Mohammad Shueb and Xiangdong Che, Eastern Michigan University, USA
Abstract
Existing Artificial Intelligence (AI) can replicate many features of human consciousness. Active research in the field of AI consciousness uses scientific theories of human consciousness to investigate and simulate features of consciousness in AI systems. Approaches and models used in existing AI systems align with theories of consciousness. As a result, content generated by AI reflects features of human consciousness such as creativity and imagination. In many scenarios, AI and the human brain are unable to provide reasons behind their decision making. However, neural networks in task specific AI are more efficient in processing large amounts of data than humans. As a result, there are growing concerns around AI consciousness. Our study addresses these concerns by reviewing scientific theories of consciousness that can be used to investigate consciousness in AI systems. We particularly expound on different methods that can identify, measure, and attribute consciousness in AI systems. Our review explores safety implications from endowing AI with functions of human consciousness. We contend that these implications create a new dimension of consciousness-based AI safety to protect AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Keywords
Artificial intelligence, consciousness, Contextual Ability, Artificial General Intelligence & Safety