In the second episode of Exploring Machine Consciousness, we welcomed philosopher and AI expert Professor Susan Schneider to discuss consciousness, quantum physics, and the future of conscious machines.

Susan introduces her “Superpsychism” theory, exploring quantum coherence as a basis for consciousness, and explains why the AI Consciousness Test (ACT) could help determine whether machines truly have experiences - or are just mimicking human responses.

Susan is sceptical that current LLMs show any convincing signs of consciousness. But believes that hybrid systems of organoids and LLMs could be compelling candidates for consciousness.  

Links:

• Susan Schneider's website
• Superpsychism, paper by Susan Schneider & Mark Bailey
• Artificial You: AI and the Future of Your Mind, book by Susan Schneider
• Chatbot Epistemology, paper by Susan Schneider
• If a Chatbot Tells You It Is Conscious, Should You Believe It?, article in the Scientific American
• The Easy Part of the Hard Problem: A Resonance Theory of Consciousness, paper by Tam Hunt and Jonathan Schooler
• PRISM website: https://www.prism-global.com/