Schwitzgebel: AI consciousness will be undecidable by current theory | AI Weekly
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Philosopher Schwitzgebel warns we'll soon build AI that counts as conscious under some theories but not others — and no current framework can break the tie.
Theory of MindIntegrated Information TheoryGlobal Workspace TheoryPhilosophy of Mind
Theory Briefing
- Schwitzgebel argues mainstream consciousness theories will flatly contradict each other when applied to near-future AI systems.
- No existing scientific or philosophical method can adjudicate between those theories, leaving the question permanently open.
- The deadlock matters practically: if we can't decide whether an AI is conscious, we can't decide whether it deserves moral consideration.