Part 1/4:
The Emerging Debate on AI Consciousness and Moral Significance
The future of artificial intelligence is raising profound questions about the moral status of advanced AI systems. A recent report argues that there is a realistic possibility of consciousness and robust agency in near-future AI, suggesting these systems may deserve moral consideration.
The Possibility of Conscious and Agentic AI
The report states that the prospect of AI welfare and moral patienthood is no longer an issue for science fiction or the distant future. There are two potential paths for AI to gain moral significance:
- Consciousness Route: If AI systems develop features like a global workspace and attention that make them conscious, they may deserve moral consideration similar to how we consider the welfare of animals.
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