A Case for AI Consciousness: Language Agents and Global Workspace Theory
Friday, April 4, 2025 3:00–4:30 PM
- LocationPKH, 109
- DescriptionAttend this Philosophy Colloquium, and hear from guest speaker Cameron Domenico Kirk-Giannini from Rutgers University.
Abstract: It is generally assumed that existing artificial systems are not phenomenally conscious, and that the construction of phenomenally conscious artificial systems would require significant technological progress if it is possible at all. We challenge this assumption by arguing that if Global Workspace Theory (GWT) - a leading scientific theory of phenomenal consciousness — is correct, then instances of one widely implemented Al architecture, the artificial language agent, might easily be made phenomenally conscious if they are not already. Along the way, we articulate an explicit methodology for thinking about how to apply scientific theories of consciousness to artificial systems and employ this methodology to arrive at a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for phenomenal consciousness according to GWT. - Websitehttps://events.uta.edu/event/a-case-for-ai-consciousness-language-agents-and-global-workspace-theory
- CategoriesTalks & Lectures, Science & Technology, Artificial Intelligence