AI Consciousness: We Must Act Now

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As the AI field continues to boom, researchers must invest in studying the natural of artificial consciousness, this according to experts in the field. AI is no longer a sci-fi fairytale, but a concrete and existing technology that we must address as soon as possible.

An open letter signed by dozens of academics from around the world calls on artificial-intelligence developers to learn more about consciousness, as AI systems become more advanced.

“It is no longer in the realm of science fiction to imagine AI systems having feelings and even human-level consciousness,” it says.

Most experts agree AI is nowhere near this level of sophistication, but it is evolving rapidly and some say developments should be paused.

The Association for Mathematical Consciousness Science (AMCS), which has compiled the open letter, titled “The responsible development of AI agenda needs to include consciousness research”, said it did not have a view on whether AI development in general should be paused.

But it pushed for a greater scientific understanding of consciousness, how it could apply to AI and how society might live alongside it.

“The rapid development of AI is exposing the urgent need to accelerate research in the field of consciousness science,” the letter says.

Its signatories include Dr Susan Schneider, a former NASA professor, as well as academics from universities in the UK, US and Europe.

A recent report by Goldman Sachs suggests AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs, and while the AI industry will create new human jobs, they are likely to require new skills, according to the BBC.