About this video

• Video Title: Could AI really achieve consciousness? w/ neuroscientist Anil Seth
• Channel: TED Audio Collective
• Speakers: Baval Sadhu, Anil Seth
• Duration: 01:00:39

Overview

This video explores the complex question of whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can achieve consciousness. Neuroscientist Anil Seth discusses the differences between intelligence and consciousness, the limitations of current AI, and the potential role of embodiment and biological substrates in consciousness. The conversation also touches upon the ethical implications of developing AI that mimics human attributes and the importance of using AI as a tool rather than an entity with human-like qualities.

Key takeaways

• Distinction between Intelligence and Consciousness: Intelligence is defined as the ability to solve problems flexibly and perform the right actions at the right time, which machines can achieve. Consciousness, however, is fundamentally about subjective experience, the "what it is like" to be an organism.
• Limitations of Current AI: While AI, particularly language models, can emulate human-like conversation and behavior, they are currently seen as sophisticated tools rather than conscious entities. The rapid advancement in AI does not automatically equate to the emergence of consciousness.
• Embodiment and Biological Substrate: The video suggests that consciousness might be tied to being embodied and embedded within a body and the world, which is a fundamental aspect of biological brains. The material composition of the brain (carbon, neurons, neurotransmitters) may be crucial for consciousness, posing a challenge for silicon-based AI.
• Ethical Considerations: There are significant ethical concerns regarding the development and deployment of AI, including the risk of misattributing consciousness, the potential for manipulation, and the impact on human cognition and diversity, especially with the advent of brain-computer interfaces.
• AI as a Tool: The prevailing view is that AI should be treated as a tool to augment human capabilities and accelerate discovery, rather than as a colleague or an entity to be blindly followed. The language used to describe AI, such as "hallucination," can be misleading and anthropomorphic.

Neuroscientist Anil Seth discusses AI and consciousness, differentiating intelligence (problem-solving) from consciousness (subjective experience). He argues current AI, while advanced, lacks consciousness due to its non-biological, disembodied nature. Seth highlights ethical risks of anthropomorphizing AI, urging we treat it as a tool, not a conscious peer, and emphasizes the potential need for biological-like substrates for true consciousness.