It’s not alive – yet

Are the large language models which power AI chatbots “stochastic parrots”, which chatter convincingly without understanding a thing, or the harbinger of artificial life on Earth?

The conflict over consciousness

The science of consciousness is still poorly understood and remains beset with philosophical difficulties and a scarcity of experimental data so competing ideas – such as integrated information theory – still battle it out in the marketplace of ideas.

What do we mean by “conscious AI”?

The idea that artificial intelligence could become conscious is worrying a lot of people, as a conscious entity could develop will and goals of its own and even take control of human society. However, the growing debate on this issue depends on better understanding of the terms and concepts involved.

What is consciousness?

Scientists, naturalists and philosophers have wrestled with the nature of consciousness for thousands of years, and understanding its nature would do much to reveal the mysteries of human decision making.

A new approach to consciousness

A new research centre will bring together philosophers, psychologists and scientists to unravel the mysteries of the human mind.