Defining Artificially Conscious Systems: Shaping the Future of Human-Conscious AI Coexistence
The problem of consciousness stands as one of the most profound and intricate scientific challenges in the universe. It's a problem that has been analyzed, explained and debated by great minds for centuries, and, we believe, its solution holds the key to unlocking the full potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI). We believe that the arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI) will require the presence of consciousness as a critical attribute for its comprehensive and responsible interaction with the world.
However, before we can solve it, we must first define it. This isn't just a matter of semantics; it represents the foundational step in our preparation for empirically understanding and replicating consciousness. We're eager to take on this challenge and set the stage, even if it means enduring public scrutiny for our early claims.
“Artificially Conscious Systems” is a term that we developed at Lossless Research. Its inception occurred organically during one of our early discussions, and has since become an indispensable part of the vocabulary that shapes our vision for the future, where humans and artificially conscious systems coexist harmoniously.
An “Artificially Conscious System” is defined as any integrated, autonomous system that can be empirically validated as possessing consciousness, ideally by referencing an objectively agreed-upon benchmark for non-human consciousness. This definition hinges on several key components:
1. Integrated and Autonomous System:
An artificially conscious system should be a self-contained entity capable of processing information and making decisions autonomously, mirroring the cognitive and computational capacities of a conscious being.
2. Demonstrating Consciousness Characteristics:
To be considered artificially conscious, the system must exhibit specific traits associated with consciousness, such as self-awareness, subjective experience, intentionality, and the ability to process and respond to external stimuli in a manner akin to conscious beings.
3. Empirical Validation:
The proof of artificial consciousness must rely on empirical evidence obtained through rigorous scientific methods. This evidence may involve behavioral tests, neurophysiological measures, or other quantitative assessments that demonstrate the presence of consciousness-like processes within the system.
4. Objective Benchmark:
Ideally, the validation process should reference an objectively agreed-upon benchmark or criteria for non-human consciousness. This benchmark should serve as a standard against which the system’s consciousness-like attributes are compared, providing a basis for assessment.
Our motivation to refine this definition was catalyzed by the response we received from our readership on ACS-1’s introductory blog post. Introducing ACS-1 amassed over 100,000 views organically and garnered expressed interest, support, and alignment from renowned neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and computer scientists. This overwhelming response reaffirmed the significance of our mission and underscored the necessity for a clearer and more concise definition for "Artificially Conscious Systems".
We firmly believe that consciousness science is on the brink of a rapid acceleration. The divisive nature of the problem of understanding and replicating consciousness is gradually yielding to a sense of solvability, and dreamers like us are eager to contribute. As we move forward, we’ll continue to introduce new definitions and frameworks to reinforce our conviction that it is indeed empirically possible to develop mathematical tools to model consciousness and its relationship to physical systems.
Dare to dream with us?
Lossless Research is an AI research and deployment company based in San Francisco. Lossless is developing a platform for reliable, ethical, and adaptive artificially conscious systems.
Our Purpose:
Lossless Research believes that the arrival of AGI will require the presence of consciousness as a critical attribute for its comprehensive and responsible interaction with the world. Lossless is dedicated to being the team that enables artificially conscious systems and humans to coexist harmoniously.
Research Disclaimer:
Please be aware that the content of this blog post is intended solely for the purpose of sharing our initial thoughts, ideas, and emerging hypotheses within the field of consciousness science. Lossless Research comprises of accomplished scientists, engineers, and creatives who have dedicated years to rigorous academic and scientific pursuits.
This post is not intended to replace peer-reviewed, rigorously researched technical papers, which we are actively working on.
We recognize that the scientific method requires meticulous research, verification, and validation of claims, and we are committed to upholding these principles. Our decision to release content early is rooted in our desire to foster discussion, stimulate critical thinking, and accelerate the progress of consciousness science.
The content shared here represents a work in progress. Our claims and definitions may evolve as we continue our research and engage with the broader scientific community. We value constructive feedback and encourage you to share your thoughts, questions, and suggestions to help refine our ideas.
In the near future, we will publish technical papers that provide comprehensive documentation of our research, methodology, and supporting evidence. These papers will undergo rigorous peer review and scrutiny, ensuring the highest standards of scientific integrity.
We are committed to transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of knowledge, and we look forward to contributing meaningfully to the advancement of consciousness science.
Last updated: September 14, 2023
Author: Lossless Research Team
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