The LCFI website uses cookies only for anonymised website statistics and for ensuring our security, never for tracking or identifying you individually. To find out more, and to find out how we protect your personal information, please read our privacy policy.

Why Artificial Consciousness Matters

Conference Paper by Matthew McGill

Why Artificial Consciousness Matters

Towards Conscious AI Systems Symposium co-located with the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence 2019 Spring Symposium Series (AAAI SSS-19)

In this paper I outline the case for artificial consciousness re- search which, while rising in popularity, remains less impactful than work in neighbouring fields. I argue that the ethical concerns around creating artificial consciousness are important, even with respect to near-future incremental advances towards general intelligence. I also give examples of how AI consciousness in particular provides unique tools and meth- ods for testing and thinking about theories of consciousness from both metaphysical and practical standpoints.

Download Conference Paper